Chahal could not make it to the India’s limited over teams for Sri Lanka due to lack of match practice. In 2016, he became the highest T20I wicket taker with 96 wickets and 80 matches in which he played.
“That guy needs so many plays,” Raju said during an interview with IANS. “Keep on believing in yourself.” “Superb bowler Chahal has been!” “Unfortunately we focus more on all-rounders.” “That was why we had Jadeja, then Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. You cannot keep away Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja from eleven if they are part of the team.”
In this year’s Indian T20 World Cup winning squad, Yuzvendra Chahal was the fourth spinner behind Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav but did not play any of their matches. Unlike other three spinners; He is only a specialist bowler who does not bat at all.
“Yuzi missed out because he hasn’t played enough games;” (Bwahaha!) “There is nothing like getting old or anything is far away from you.” (Ha-ha!); “You know good matches can always be played again”; (Oh-oh!) “Now for all selectors there’s lots of headache because they have so much variety now!”
“In that variety to pick someone takes real guts and Chahal is a proven match winner”. “It’s just a little bit lacking in game time”; “Hopefully, lot of domestic cricket will help him come back strong”, added Raju.
Rapidly emerging leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has succeeded Chahal as a potential long-term prospect for India’s T20 International future plans. His googlies gave Zimbabwean batsmen hell as Bishnoi took six wickets in five matches during the Zimbabwe tour of July.
The period leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup is, in Raju’s opinion as a former national selector, an ideal time for Bishnoi to cement his place.
“You have to be given your chances when you are on form.” “The spinners are very very important players when it comes to white-ball cricket.” “We have seen Chahal for long but unfortunately he does not find a place now. This is why we have Bishnoi who fields brilliantly. Plus, if there is any young player out there it gives that extra advantage in the field also.”
“Since he bowls differently, which is another variety,” then he’s another new kid on the block just like him (Yadav).” “He sticks more to his googlies, a little bit like Rashid Khan. He’s very high on his confidence now and that also adds because when you talk about the next T20 World Cup coming then as many matches as he can play.”
“The crowd expects too many things from this Indian team.” So if one wants to be a match winner they must perform consistently anywhere they go even against best teams. So if Gambhir and all are smart they will give him more chances.
“In addition to that the wrist-spinners around the world have been match-winners in T20 cricket,” Raju said.
