India’s leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has shed light on his 2023 ODI World Cup snub. Chahal revealed the former Indian captain Rohit Sharma told him they were looking to focus on batting depth and wanted a fast bowler at number eight.
Chahal, who recently announced his first-clas retirement, was not picked for the ODI showpiece. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were India’s three spinners for the quadrennial tournament in home conditions.
“In 2023, when I went to play County, Rohit had told me that we want batters till number eight, so we were going with that. He told me clearly that they were also looking for an extra fast bowler for the World Cup. So it was made clear to me. After the World Cup, I just stopped thinking about selection,” Chahal said in a podcast with Aakash Chopra.
Chahal said he came to IPL 2024 with a free mindset and bagged 18 wickets in 15 matches for Rajasthan Royals.
“In the IPL 2024, I just came to enjoy and did not put extra pressure on myself. That season, I did well, and Rohit told me he wanted me and we would see in the selection meeting,” he added.
After an impressive run in IPL 2024, Chahal was picked in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Chahal was not picked in 2021 T20 World Cup squad whereas he was included in the 2022 T20I showpiece but didn’t get to play a single game.
“I felt worse in 2021 because I was not there at all. In 2022, at least I was in the team. Sometimes you also know the combination may not work. So I did not think a lot. But you always feel that you should have at least played one World Cup game. Rohit had told me that I would play only if a particular combination worked. So at least I had the clarity,” he said.
Chahal is seen doing commentary stint in the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies.
