Experienced India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal shared his views on the fight for places in the Indian team prior to the 2021 T20 World Cup. He also said that performance is the only criteria for the selection in the playing XI. The leg-spinner has registered a spell of 4-0-19-1 in India’s win in the first T20I against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo as well.

The 31-year-old has also said that the competition is a healthy sign of progress and it also shows the bench strength that backup players are ready to grab any available place in the team as well.

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While reflecting on this, Yuzvendra Chahal told the press: “It’s definitely a healthy competition. If you have a pool of around 30 players, you definitely have the quality. All the spinners are doing well. As a spinner, you know that there are at least two guys, who have performed here and in the IPL, capable of grabbing your place. All I can do is think for myself and perform at every given opportunity. If you perform, you get to play, and if you don’t, then you are out. And this rule applies to everyone, including myself. So, whenever I have the ball in my hand, I don’t think about others and the competition around; I rather focus on getting the job done with the ball.”

While defending 165, Yuzvendra Chahal was the most economical Indian bowler and he picked up the important wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva as well. With 63 wickets from 49 T20Is which came at 25.3, Yuzvendra Chahal is India’s highest wicket-taker in the shortest format as well. However, he has had a rather poor show in recent years. Since 2019, he has played only 19 wickets from 22 T20Is at an average of 40.47 and an economy rate of almost nine as well.

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However, with his current form, it is likely that Yuzvendra Chahal will seal a spot in the 2021 T20 World Cup as well. Notably, the mega event will take place in the UAE later this year.