On Thursday, December 21, at Boland Park in Paarl, India played their third and final One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa. Senior leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was left out of the starting lineup.
Chahal returned to India’s One-Day International squad for the three-match series against South Africa. With the re-emergence of left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, the seasoned veteran has fallen down the pecking order among wrist spinners.
Earlier this year, Chahal was also snubbed for the crucial 2023 World Cup. Despite being recalled to the 50-over team, the leg-spinner did not appear in a single game in South Africa.
Several supporters turned to social media to vent their outrage at Yuzvendra Chahal being benched in all three games. Here are some of the most common responses:
Kuldeep Yadav was rested by the Indian thought tank for the last ODI of the series on Thursday. The squad management, however, chose all-rounder Washington Sundar over Yuzvendra Chahal.
After winning the toss, South Africa elected to bowl first. India were 24/0 in 3.3 overs at the time of writing.
The three-match series is now deadlocked at 1-1, and the victor of the third match will take home the trophy.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s long absence from India team since August 2023
Yuzvendra Chahal was dropped from India’s white-ball squads after the team’s trip of the West Indies earlier this year. He sat out all three One-Day Internationals against the Caribbean team.
Even though he played in the next five-match T20I series, he didn’t have a big effect. With an economy rate of 9.05, the seasoned bowler concluded with five wickets in as many appearances.
The 33-year-old will want to put up outstanding performances for Rajasthan Royals in the 2019 Indian Premier League season in order to get back consideration from national selectors, especially with the 2024 T20 World Cup approaching next year.
Yuzvendra Chahal showed impressive skill in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy. He clinched 18 wickets in eight games, playing for Haryana.