Cricket News

‘He should request the team management to…’- Former India selector gives valuable piece to Yuzvendra Chahal on his bowling

Chahal has picked up 91 wickets in T20Is.

Feb 1, 2023 11:25 am

In the second T20I against New Zealand which was held at Lucknow, Yuzvendra Chahal became India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. He bowled a two-over spell in the game and picked up 1-4. He took his wickets tally in T20Is to 91 and surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had 90 wickets to his name. However, Chahal has not been at his best when it comes to T20Is. He has picked up three wickets from four T20Is that he has played this year.

The wrist-spinner has picked three wickets in the three ODIs that he has played in. Former India selector Sunil Joshi said that Chahal should go and play domestic cricket to get into a good rhythm and be potent as the attacking bowler that he is in the Indian bowling setup. Chahal notably did not play in the 20-20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 despite being in the squad.

Match time is very important for Yuzvendra Chahal – Sunil Joshi

“Over a period any bowler will go through that phase. Probably Chahal is in that phase. Someone like Chahal, who is not able to get game time in the middle, probably go and play domestic cricket. Match time is very important for him to get back into form. That should be the ideal preparation for Chahal,” said Joshi ESPNCricinfo.

Joshi said that he does not look at Chahal as one of India’s frontline bowlers at this stage and he is not in his 15-member squad for the ODI World Cup in India. “No. Jadeja will be in my squad. If he is not in a good rhythm, you have a backup in Axar. Then probably I would look at Washy (Washington Sundar) or Ravi Bishnoi if I have to have one more leg spinner because Bishnoi is more consistent and has a quicker arm action and he’s a better fielder than Chahal.”

The former India selector lauded Kuldeep Yadav for his recent exploits with the ball and said that consistency is the key for him to come to the 50-over World Cup. He said Kuldeep is in a good space but from a tactical and strategic point of view, he needs to become stronger in that area going forward.