Despite his strong performances for India, Yuzvendra Chahal was left out of the ODI World Cup 2023 squad. Following the ODI World Cup’s conclusion, the India Cricket Board selectors revealed the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, where Chahal once again did not secure a spot in the 15-man squad. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi were chosen from the spin department, leaving Chahal waiting for his chance.
Remarkably, Chahal holds the title of India’s top wicket-taker in T20Is, amassing 96 wickets in 80 matches and establishing himself as a decisive match-winner at 33. His recent form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Haryana was noteworthy, securing nine wickets in the last four matches. Despite these achievements, the India Cricket Board selectors opted for players who performed well in the Asian Games for the national team.
However, the spinner didn’t take his exclusion from the T20I squad lightly. Following the squad’s announcement for the T20I series starting on November 23 in Visakhapatnam, he responded with a smile on X (formerly Twitter) without expressing much. Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this omission of Yuzi Chahal:
Leave Rajsthan Royals as soon as possible, Selectors have some political problems with Rajsthan and that's why you, Sanju , Riyan have not picked
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) November 20, 2023
Justice for Chahal
— Avinash Aryan (@avinasharyan09) November 20, 2023
Chahal not picked. Sanju not picked. Parag not picked. Paddikkal not picked. There is something against RR thing itself. Chin up man! Purple cap ours.
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) November 20, 2023
Feel sorry for you ?
— BharatCricket (@BharatEcricket) November 20, 2023
Dukh dard peeda pic.twitter.com/HAIFg5JMk1
— ?????? ??????? (@KirketAcademy) November 20, 2023
Yuzi bro feel for you, comeback stronger
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) November 20, 2023
I know a guy who can make solid comebacks dm me for details
— ?????????????™ (@Itzshreyas07) November 20, 2023
Highest T20 wicket taker for India neglected again without any explanation, it's not about performance but something else.
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) November 20, 2023
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian side
Conversely, several senior cricketers, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and others, have been rested for the series. This decision precedes a comprehensive series against South Africa away from home. With Rohit absent from the T20I squad, Hardik Pandya was set to lead the team. However, the all-rounder is recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the ODI World Cup, making him unavailable for the squad.
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav will assume the role of captain, with Shreyas Iyer serving as the vice-captain in the final two T20Is in Raipur and Bengaluru. The series is anticipated to have VVS Laxman as the head coach.
