In the era of T20 cricket dominance, where players are drawn towards multiple franchise leagues worldwide, some still possess a deep longing for the traditional format of Test cricket. Recently, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc expressed his desire to represent his country in red-ball cricket, citing his absence during the IPL 2023 season. Yuzvendra Chahal, the Indian spin maestro, has echoed similar sentiments, sharing his dream of making his Test debut for India.
Chahal, who has been a key figure in the Indian team’s white-ball success, revealed that Test cricket remains on his checklist. Since his international debut in 2016, Chahal has played 72 One Day Internationals and 75 Twenty20 Internationals, amassing 121 and 91 wickets, respectively. His impressive performances earned him the coveted purple cap during the IPL 2022 season, and in the recently concluded IPL 2023, he surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become the leading wicket-taker in the history of the tournament.
In a conversation with Crictracker, the seasoned spinner highlighted his ambition to excel in the upcoming domestic season in order to secure a place in the Test squad.
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Yuzvendra Chahal stated, “Every cricketer has a dream of representing their team on the international stage, reaching the pinnacle when they don the whites and play red-ball cricket. I share a similar dream. While I have achieved a lot in white-ball cricket, red-ball cricket is still on my checklist. I continue to strive and give my best in domestic and Ranji games, hoping to fulfill my dream of becoming a Test cricketer and earn the opportunity to represent the Indian Test team soon.”
#YuzvendraChahal opened up about not playing Test cricket for India till now despite having a successful white-ball career.https://t.co/VvsXmOFbow
— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) June 19, 2023
Despite his consistent presence in India’s white-ball setup, Chahal is yet to feature in the T20 World Cup. However, he expressed his lack of concern regarding selection matters, emphasizing that his primary focus is on delivering his best performances for the team.
Yuzvendra Chahal said, “That’s fine, you know. Some things are not in your hands, so I don’t dwell on them. My focus is on giving my best and performing well as long as I’m playing the game. Whether it’s any match, my aim is to give 100%. Selection is beyond our control.”
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He further elaborated, “Wearing the blue jersey and being part of the squad always instills confidence. At least you’re there and have to be prepared for whatever lies ahead.”
As Chahal continues to excel in white-ball cricket, his determination and dedication to achieving his red-ball dream through impressive domestic performances are unwavering. With the hope of someday donning the Test cricket jersey for India, Chahal remains focused on contributing his best to the team’s success, irrespective of the format he plays.
