The highest wicket-taker in Indian Premier League (IPL) history Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on not playing Test cricket for India.
Still on my Checklist – Chahal Opens on Not Playing Test Cricket for India
Chahal made his international debut in 2016 still waits to make his international Test debut. Chahal made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on 11 June 2016 and made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe at Harare on 18 June 2016.
Since his debut, Chahal played 72 ODIs and 75 T20I games along with 145 IPL matches. In 2017, he became the first bowler for India to take a five-wicket haul in T20Is. Chahal was also the first legspinner to pick up a fifer as well as 6 wicket haul in a T20I and had the record for the best bowling as a legspinner in T20I history (6/25).
He took the most wickets (23) in T20Is in 2017 by any bowler. Chahal is also the first Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in T20Is in the third T20 against England on February 1, 2017.
On 18 January 2019, Chahal took his 2nd ODI 5 wicket haul by taking 6/42 against Australia. These were the joint best figures by an Indian bowler vs Aussies after Ajit Agarkar in 2003/04. These also were the best figures by an Indian spinner at MCG in Australia against Australia.
In November 2019, during the third T20I against Bangladesh, he became the third bowler for India to take 50 wickets in T20Is. On 4 December 2020, in the first T20I match against Australia, Chahal replaced Jadeja as concussion substitute.
Chahal was later named the man of the match, becoming the first concussion substitute to win the man of the match award in an international cricket fixture.
Though Chahal scripts various unique records in white ball cricket, he still waits to make his debut in red ball cricket. However, in an interaction with a sports media, Chahal said that he still hopes to play red-ball cricket for India.
“Every cricketer has a dream of representing his/her team on the international platform. And they reach the pinnacle when they wear whites and play red-ball cricket. I have a similar dream too. I have achieved a lot in white-ball cricket, but red-ball is still on my checklist.
I still have the dream of getting the tag of ‘Test cricketer’ next to my name. I try to give my best in domestic and Ranji games so as to fulfill this dream of mine, and I hope to get the opportunity of representing the Indian Test team soon,” Chahal said.
Chahal has also not played a match for India in the T20 World Cup and that also remains a major goal for the experienced spinner.
“That’s fine, you know. Some things are not in your hands, so I don’t ponder much upon that. My focus is on giving my best and performing well till the time I’m playing the game. Be it any match, my aim is to give my 100%.
Selection is something that is not in our hands. Whether you’re playing or not, once you wear the blue jersey and be a part of the squad, it always gives you a sense of confidence. At least you’re there, and have to be ready for whatever is coming next,” said Chahal.
Chahal is the only player to represent India in both chess and cricket. He represented India in chess at the World Youth Chess Championship, though he gave up the game later when he struggled to find a sponsor.
He is listed in World Chess Federation‘s official site, as per the latest FIDE ratings, Chahal’s rating is 1956
