The World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand in July is something which every India would love to forget. However, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal said he had tears in his eyes when Mahendra Singh Dhoni got out in that match at Old Trafford. Chasing 240, Chahal came to bat after Dhoni fell in the 49th over in the rain-affected semi-final which India eventually lost by 18 runs. Dhoni stitched a 116-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to get India close to winning after they were struggling at 92 for 6 at one stage. But Dhoni’s run out on 50, finished India’s dream.
“It was my first World Cup and when Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) got out and I was going in (to bat), I was trying to hold back my tears. It was so depressing,” Yuzvendra Chahal said at the 10th edition of India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit here.
“We played so well for nine games but suddenly we were going out of the tournament. Rain wasn’t in our hands and so it won’t be right to say anything (about the interruption). It was the first time that we really wanted to go back to the hotel as soon as possible from the ground,” he added.
However, India finished the group league stage with seven wins from nine games. Since the World Cup, Chahal has been ignored from India’s T20 side alongside Kuldeep Yadav.
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“Your job is to perform. when we (Kuldeep Yadav and me) came we performed really well. After IPL, our bench strength has got pretty strong too. Now if the team management is trying good talent, it is good that you know that there is competition and you have to work harder. You can’t stay away from cricket,” Chahal saidwhile he was asked about this.
“I want to continue for 5-6 years. I want to win at least one World Cup. I think the way we have been playing and how our team is shaping up currently, its a positive sign. We won in New Zealand, Australia and West Indies and if we win the T20 World Cup next year, all the noise will die down,” he concluded.