‘He would’ve been a handy option’ – AB de Villiers opens up on Yuzvendra Chahal’s Asia Cup snub

Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Yuzvendra Chahal has been one of the unluckiest players in world cricket who stays with the Indian team throughout the year but does not get to showcase his skills at the all-important ICC events. The leg-spinner was surprisingly left out of the 2021 T20 World Cup squad as the selectors picked the inexperienced Varun Chakaravarthy instead. Chahal was a part of the 2022 T20 World Cup but did not get a game.

It seems that Chahal is set to miss playing in yet another ICC event and this time it will the ODI World Cup, which begins on October 5. Prior to the World Cup, India will play in the Asia Cup, which starts on August 30. Chahal was shockingly excluded from the side as chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that they are keeping an eye on the balance of the side.

It is believed that Axar Patel, who is a part of the squad, was picked ahead of Chahal for his better batting ability. Captain Rohit Sharma, mentioned that it is not the end of the road for the veteran spinner as he may make his way back into the World Cup squad when it is finally announced.

Former South African batter, AB de Villiers, who has played a lot of cricket alongside Chahal during their time together at Royal Challengers Bangalore, noted that the selectors made it clear that they were looking beyond his former teammate by dropping him from the Asia Cup squad. De Villiers lauded Chahal for his skills and felt that he would have been a handy option for India had they picked him.

“Chahal has been dropped, selectors making their intentions clear who they will be picking. It’s a bit of a disappointing drop for me, Yuzi is always very handy and it’s great to have the leg-spinning option in your team. We know how skilful he is,” said de Villiers on his YouTube channel.

India begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 2 against arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele.