Yuzvendra Chahal took a sly dig at the Indian selectors after losing his place to Rahul Chahar for the T20 World Cup 15-member squad.
Chahal was one of the unfortunate ones to miss out on the flight to the UAE, where the WC is slated to take place. The leg-spinner didn’t take the exclusion too kindly and took a dig at the selectors while replying to the former Indian cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra.
Chahal is India’s highest wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game for India, and his exclusion from the WC squad came as a massive surprise to many. The Rajasthan leggie who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL – Rahul Chahar – was preferred ahead of Chahal.
On the very next day, India’s chief selector Chetan Sharma explained the move and stated that the committee wanted someone who could bowl faster in the air. Aakash Chopra resonated with the committee as he tweeted that quicker spinners will be more impactful on the pitches in the UAE.
Chopra gave four pieces of advice to the IPL franchises for the second phase of the IPL 2021, which is set to begin in the UAE from September 19. Chahal responded to the tweet in his own playful style, questioning the “faster spinners” point.
Chahal was outstanding for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2020, which took place entirely in the UAE. The leg-spinner had picked 21 wickets in 15 matches at just 19 runs per wicket while conceding at seven runs per over. Chopra responded to Chahal, saying his analysis applies for the lesser mortals.
Chahal’s recent form wasn’t on his side, with him picking eight wickets in seven games since the last IPL at an expensive rate of 9.11. He will be in action for RCB in the second phase of this year’s edition and have an opportunity to make a statement of his own.
