Former Indian selector Sunil Joshi reckons Yuzvendra Chahal should go and play domestic cricket in order to regain his form. Chahal hasn’t been at his absolute best in the recent past as he has been expensive in his spells. The leg-spinner has played two ODIs in 2023 in which he has scalped three wickets.
Chahal was recently out of action due to injury but he took Finn Allen’s wicket in the second T20I against New Zealand and conceded only four runs in the two overs he bowled.
Joshi feels Chahal should go back to the domestic format as he may not get too many chances with the national team in this kind of form.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Joshi said: “Over a period any bowler will go through that phase. Probably Chahal is in that phase. Someone like Chahal, who is not able to get game time in the middle, probably he should request the team management to go and play domestic cricket. Match time is very important for him to get back into form. That should be the ideal preparation for Chahal.”
Joshi further said he wouldn’t pick Chahal in India’s ODI World Cup 2023 squad on his current form and he will prefer someone like Ravi Bishnoi, who is more consistent.
“Jadeja will be in my squad. If he is not in a good rhythm, you have a backup in Axar. Then probably I would look at Washy [Washington Sundar] or Ravi Bishnoi if I have to have one more legspinner because Bishnoi is more consistent and has a quicker arm action and he’s a better fielder than Chahal.”
On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav has performed consistently whenever he has got his chances in playing XI. Yadav has made a couple of changes to his run-up and he is reaping rewards for the same. Joshi feels the wrist spinner is in a good mental space.
“Kuldeep Yadav is in a space where he is absolutely fine. He needs to be more consistent. He needs to be looking at the tactical part. He needs to know how he will approach each team and venue. The World Cup is in India but every venue has a different dimension, in terms of pitch, soil and climate. He has to prepare himself accordingly.”
The former left-handed all-rounder added Yadav will hold the key in the upcoming Test series against Australia.
“If India has to win against Australia, Kuldeep will play a major part.”
The first Test match will begin in Nagpur on February 9.
