‘If Chahal Isn’t There, We’ll Have…,’ Warns Ex-India Pacer and Co. About India’s T20 World Cup Squad Selection
With the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the debate over the selection of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024—which will be hosted in the USA and the West Indies—began. It is obvious that the selectors are basing their decisions on the current competition, since only 11 games prior to joining the lucrative league would have been enough to choose a solid group of 15 players.
The competition to make India’s T20 World Cup team seems to be becoming more intense every week since there are many of IPL players who consistently put up great performances and have a strong enough fan base to warrant inclusion. There aren’t enough spaces for everyone, whether they are bowlers, middle-order batsmen, wicketkeepers, or top-order batsmen.
Yuzvendra Chahal, a wrist spinner, is among them; he seems to have the worst luck in the T20 World Cup. Interestingly, despite taking 96 wickets in 80 matches, he is India’s top wicket-taker in the shortest format—he hasn’t represented the nation in a T20 World Cup yet.
He qualified for the trip to Australia the following year, but Rahul Chahar won the 2021 edition, which was hosted in the United Arab Emirates. Regretfully, however, he warmed the benches throughout the Australian competition, when India was eliminated after a 10 wicket defeat to England in the semifinals.
No Chahal, No Achievement
During a pre-match talk, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that he stressed the importance of having Chahal in the playing XI for the semi-finals. Pathan was speaking on Star Sports Press Room about the heartbreaking defeat that had left skipper Rohit Sharma and his guys in tears. But neither Team India nor the leggie were ever able to make it.
“During the most recent World Cup in Australia, when international pundits were there, I consistently recommended Chahal for the starting lineup for the semifinals. However, it never occurred,” Pathan answered a News18 CricketNext question.
“I want a competent bowling unit from Team India.” Having a wrist spinner in the starting lineup is essential, particularly during the World Cup. Kuldeep Yadav is playing quite well. Jadeja will be your left-arm spinning all-rounder, as you need two spinners. Chahal may so lose out once again.
“Because it goes without saying that you would consider taking three spinners or two quick bowlers. But we will have a similar outcome to what we had before if a somebody like Chahal, a wrist spinner, is not in the Indian squad, he said.
“It’s disappointing if Chahal isn’t selected.”
If the selection process is based on IPL 2024 performance, Chahal will be at the top. Currently holding the Purple Cap, he has 11 wickets in only 6 games.
Former Indian women’s team captain Mithali Raj responded to a News18 CricketNext question on Star Sports Press Room by saying that Chahal shouldn’t be left out in any scenario if the selectors are choosing players based on their present form, as doing so would be very disheartening.
He ought to be the bowler chosen if players are to be chosen according to their form. But once again, one should take into account the manager’s comfort level and the players’ faith in him or her, as well as the team’s makeup, approach, and management style. Nevertheless, he is a performer who has accumulated experience over the years. Raj said, “It’s evident that he finds it pretty frustrating if he is not selected.
