Yuzvendra Chahal is a surprise inclusion in ODI team: Sanjay Manjrekar

Yuzi Chahal Instagram Post. (Photo Source: Instagram/Yuzvendra Chahal)

After missing out on the recently concluded ODI World Cup in India, star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is back in the scheme of things for the series against South Africa. However, it was expected for him to feature in the T20I series but to everyone’s surprise, the 33-year-old is back in the ODI set-up. However, this also serves him an opportunity to perform well and get into the scheme of things for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Speaking about the same move, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar mentioned that he considers Chahal to be a T20I bowler and didn’t expect him to feature in the ODI format. He also analyzed India’s bowling unit and stated that he is excited to see Deepak Chahar and Avesh Khan, who’ll play in this format after quite some time.

“I like it. Again this is workload management, but I am excited with the fact that Deepak Chahar is back because I like him as a cricketer. Avesh Khan gets another opportunity. I believe Mukesh Kumar is a sturdy and dependable bowler, he has come. Chahal is a surprise inclusion. I thought Chahal was more your bowler for T20 cricket but there they have got somebody like a (Ravi) Bishnoi,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.

Really happy to see Rajat Patidar fit and raring to go: Manjrekar

Coming to the batting unit, the 58-year-old mentioned that he is really happy to see Rajat Patidar getting a call-up in the ODI set-up. Notably, the cricketer has been brilliant in domestic cricket, and based on this, he earned a place in the upcoming series against South Africa. Manjrekar also stated that he is happy to see Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson in the ODI team and expressed that he can’t wait to see the young brigade play.

“Rajat Patidar – really happy to see him fit and raring to go. A big promotion for Rinku Singh. He has now become a part of ODI cricket. I saw Sanju Samson playing ODIs against South Africa in India and I got slightly excited there as well, that he is a good option. I am always excited when I see India’s second string or next-generation players. It seems like it is a very strong team but the problem is that South Africa are a formidable team in white-ball cricket and bilateral series. So it will be a stiff test but this team is very good,” he concluded.