Star Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has opened up after being left out of the Indian squad for the 2023 World Cup set to begin on October 5. Chahal failed to get a place in the 15-member preliminary squad and he was not even considered as a replacement for Axar Patel when the latter was ruled out of the mega event with a quadriceps strain. , Yuzvendra Chahal claimed that he was not been selected for the last two T20 World Cups for India as well. However, he is currently playing for Kent in the County Championship as well.
He told Wisden.com: “I understand that only fifteen players can be a part, because it’s a World Cup, where you can’t take 17 or 18. I do feel a little bad, but my motto in life is to move on. I’m used to it now… it’s been three World Cups (laughs). That’s why I came here [at Kent] to play because I want to play cricket somewhere, somehow. I’m getting a chance here with a red ball, and I seriously want to play red ball for India. So it was a good experience for me. I spoke to the coaches too, and they’re happy I’m playing somewhere, because you can practice as much in the nets, but match is match. I’m getting to play at a very good level here – first division, County – learning a lot here.”
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Yuzvendra Chahal also understands that with cut-throat competition for a place in the team, he might have had to do exceptionally well ahead of the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin, who have also been his great friends off the field as well.
“I don’t think too much in that sense [on competing with other spinners in the Indian team’, because I know if I perform well, I’ll play. Someone or the other will eventually replace you in the future. That time will come someday. The main goal is that India should win, because this is not an individual game. If I am part of the team or not, they are like my brothers. Obviously, I support India [team]. I like the challenge: it tells me I need to work hard so that I come back,” Yuzvendra Chahal concluded.
