'I wonder how he is a Chess prodigy' - Fans react as Yuzvendra Chahal expresses his disappointement over 2021 T20 World Cup snub

Yuzvendra Chahal (Source: Twitter)

Yuzvendra Chahal has been one of the mainstays in Indian cricket since 2017. In the period 2017-19, the right-arm leg-spinner formed a deadly spin duo with Kuldeep Yadav in Limited overs cricket and won numerous games for India. The duo was fondly regarded as ‘Kulcha’ by fans.  

The Haryana spinner was one of the main reasons behind Royal Challengers Bangalore’s success as a franchise in the period 2020-21. Despite that, Chahal was not considered to be in India’s squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, where spinners played a big role. India rather picked the likes of Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar, both being inexperienced at the highest level.  

'I went to the bathroom and cried a bit' - Chahal

When asked about the same in a show, Chahal said he was disappointed with the snub and cried due to rejection. “When I was not selected for the 2021 T20 World Cup, I felt the saddest. I do not cry a lot. But I went to the bathroom and cried a bit. I was feeling strange because Virat was the captain of India, and I was playing under Virat there as well (For RCB). But I never asked anyone why I was not picked. Have never asked” said Chahal in the show.  

India had some interesting choices in the last two T20 World Cup tournaments. Many players were recalled for the tournament from nowhere. Some regulars missed out on selections due to none of their faults. Such decisions damaged the chances of the team. The squad did not have proper balance. Many players lacked experience at the highest level.  

From his debut till August 2021, Chahal played 49 matches and claimed 63 wickets for India. The 32-year-old had a bowling average of 25.30, an economy of 8.32, and a bowling strike rate of 18.24 in the period. Moreover, Chahal was an experienced campaigner for Team India at the highest level. All these factors were ignored, as the selectors gave an opportunity to ‘Faster spinners’.   

Here's how the fans reacted to Chahal's statement:

You are better in making tiktok videos

— Rahul (@Rahul74876487) July 17, 2023

Ravi Shastri literally said he and Virat didn't pick the team

— Ash💀 (@Ash_RMCF) July 17, 2023

I wonder how he's a chess prodigy 🥴 , neither virat nor shastri had any say on the squad selection

— Barma Bharath (@im__bharath) July 17, 2023

These players with politics involved are going to ruin The Indian cricket 🏏....

— Raghav (@RaghavA86174018) July 17, 2023

So his fans give credits to him but blames are on selection only

— Human (@Human4567832) July 17, 2023

Rubbish bowling. 17 wkts in last 16 matches

— HulkA (@Sarcasmicrish) July 17, 2023

It wasn't virat's decision

— Sharma Sudeep (@SharmaSudeep8) July 17, 2023

He was in squad in 2022 as well but didn't play a single game which is just ridiculous. Under Rohit btw.

— shubham (@Shubh_rapstar) July 17, 2023

Yuzi wasn’t picking wickets in the middle overs which forced the selectors to look elsewhere. Obviously we did not find any but the thought process was justifiable

— Raj🇮🇳 (@RajkumarBalach1) July 17, 2023

Virat has no role in team selection of WC,
That's why he left t-20 captaincy

— SINGH (@kyadekhrahe) July 17, 2023