Former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over the continued exclusion of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from India’s One Day International (ODI) setup. Expressing his thoughts on social media, Chopra remarked that Chahal’s absence from the squad suggests that his chapter in India’s 50-over plans might be “totally finished” and the “file closed.”
Chahal, once a key figure in India’s white-ball strategy, has found himself out of favor in recent selections, despite consistently performing in domestic and franchise cricket. His omission from major tournaments, including the 2023 World Cup squad, has sparked debates among fans and experts alike.
Chopra, in his analysis, questioned the rationale behind sidelining a proven match-winner like Chahal, especially when India has struggled to find a dependable wicket-taking option in the middle overs. He emphasized that while the team management appears to have moved on, Chahal’s experience and skillset could still offer valuable depth to the bowling attack.
Despite being a regular feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and maintaining an impressive record in the shortest format, Chahal has been overlooked in the ODI format, with selectors opting for other spin options such as Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi.
Fans and cricket pundits continue to debate whether Chahal deserves another opportunity, especially with upcoming ODI series and ICC events on the horizon. For now, however, it seems the leg-spinner remains on the fringes of India’s 50-over plans.
