Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his dismay at the surprising omission of Yuzvendra Chahal from India’s squad for the ODI series against Australia and the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023. In a candid analysis, Harbhajan speculated on the reasons behind Chahal’s absence, suggesting that it might be due to a conflict or a verbal exchange with someone that negatively impacted his selection prospects.

Harbhajan questioned the decision not to include Chahal in the squad, given his exceptional skills. He remarked, “Yuzvendra Chahal should have been here. He has not been given an opportunity. It is beyond my understanding. Either he has fought with someone or he has said something to someone, I don’t know. If we talk only about skill, his name should have been there in this team because a lot of Team India players are resting,” as he shared on his official YouTube channel.

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s dream of participating in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 has been shattered. This significant decision was announced during a press conference on September 5, attended by team captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s absence from the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 signaled that he might not feature in the upcoming ICC event. This marks yet another major tournament where he has been left out. His journey of disappointment began with a surprising omission from the T20 World Cup in 2021, and despite being included in the 2022 squad, he didn’t get a chance to take the field.

In the ODI World Cup 2019, Chahal played a pivotal role for Team India. The 33-year-old leg-spinner emerged as one of the key spinners in the squad, delivering remarkable performances throughout the tournament. Chahal’s exceptional control and knack for taking crucial wickets significantly contributed to India’s campaign.

• Matches Played: 8
• Wickets Taken: 12
• Best Bowling Figures: 4/51 against South Africa
• Economy Rate: 5.97
• Average: 36.83
• Bowling Strike Rate: 37.00

Chahal’s standout performance against South Africa, where he took four wickets for just 51 runs, demonstrated his ability to break partnerships and apply pressure on the opposition in the middle overs. His contributions played a vital role in India’s journey to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Since the 2019 World Cup, Chahal has maintained his consistency as a key performer in ODIs, amassing an impressive record of 37 wickets in 23 matches. His leg-spin prowess has often proved invaluable to the Indian cricket team. However, in 2023, his presence in the 50-over format has been conspicuously limited, with only two appearances. In these matches, he demonstrated his ability to take wickets, securing three dismissals. Despite his impressive track record, Chahal’s unexpected absence from India’s plans since the beginning of the year has raised questions and curiosity among cricket enthusiasts.