Yuzvendra Chahal was among India’s most successful white-ball spinners, but his international career took a turn in 2023 when he was left out of the squad for the ODI World Cup at home. Despite his reputation as an attacking leg-spinner and an impressive record in T20Is, Chahal did not feature in a single match at the 2024 T20 World Cup either.The 36-year-old, who last played an ODI in January 2023, has now opened up about missing out on India’s 15-member squad for the 2023 World Cup. Speaking to former India opener Aakash Chopra, Chahal revealed that then-captain Rohit Sharma had personally explained the team management’s thinking behind the decision.According to Chahal, India wanted to strengthen their batting depth and retain the option of playing an additional fast bowler, leaving little room for him in the team’s plans.“In 2023, when I went to play County, Rohit had told me that we want batters till number eight, so we were going with that. He told me clearly that they were also looking for an extra fast bowler for the World Cup. So it was made clear to me. After the World Cup, I just stopped thinking about selection,” Chahal said.The leg-spinner last represented India in a T20I in August 2023, but was picked for the 2024 T20 World Cup following an impressive IPL season. However, he remained on the sidelines throughout the tournament.Chahal said he approached the 2024 IPL without putting himself under additional pressure, focusing instead on enjoying his cricket. His performances caught Rohit’s attention, with the former India captain indicating that he wanted him in the World Cup squad.“In the IPL 2024, I just came to enjoy and did not put extra pressure on myself. That season, I did well, and Rohit told me he wanted me and we would see in the selection meeting,” he added.Chahal made his T20I debut in mid-2016 and went on to claim 96 wickets in 78 matches, establishing himself among India’s leading wicket-takers in the format.Asked which omission affected him the most, Chahal said missing out on the squad altogether was more difficult to accept than being selected but not getting a game. He explained that being part of the team at the 2022 tournament at least gave him clarity about his role and the circumstances in which he might play.“I felt worse in 2021 because I was not there at all. In 2022, at least I was in the team. Sometimes you also know the combination may not work. So I did not think a lot. But you always feel that you should have at least played one World Cup game. Rohit had told me that I would play only if a particular combination worked. So at least I had the clarity,” he said.Away from international cricket, Chahal recently completed a County stint with Northamptonshire in August before announcing his retirement from first-class cricket. He finished his first-class career with 148 wickets from 49 matches.Chahal, however, continues to be a major presence in the IPL. With 233 wickets in 188 matches at an economy rate of 8.05, he remains the tournament’s leading wicket-taker and the highest wicket-taker among Indian bowlers in T20 cricket, with 396 wickets from 343 matches.
