Yuzvendra Chahal shows class on County Championship debut for Kent

Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Yuzvendra Chahal is one of the most unlucky cricketers at the moment, as he missed the bus for the Asia Cup 2023 and the subsequent ODI World Cup. However, the experienced leg-spinner didn’t get bogged down as he made the trip to England to play in the County Championship for Kent.

Chahal’s much-awaited debut for Kent came against Nottinghamshire in Canterbury in a County Championship Division I game. Kent captain Jack Leaning won the toss and opted to bat. His team put up a formidable 446-run total on the board. Chahal, who came in to bat at No. 11, was dismissed for a duck. However, he showed his class with the ball in hand as he dismissed Matthew Montgomery, Lyndon James, and Calvin Harrison in Nottinghamshire’s first innings to finish with figures of 3/63 in 29 overs. He also bowled ten maidens.

Nottinghamshire were dismissed for only 265 as Kent enforced the follow on. Chahal could also play a key role in the second innings with the ball.

Prior to this encounter, Chahal played 33 first-class games and picked up 87 wickets at an average of 35.25 and an economy rate of 3.13. His strike rate in red-ball cricket is 67.4. Chahal, who is 33 years old, has played in 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is for the Men in Blue. However, he has never been considered for Test cricket. Chahal has not played too regularly in the Ranji Trophy, as he appeared in only two of Haryana’s matches in the last edition of the prestigious tournament.

The veteran has signed a three-match contract with Kent. After the encounter against Nottinghamshire, he will play against Somerset in Taunton and Lancashire in Canterbury. Kent are currently placed at No. 8 on the points table, just below Nottinghamshire. Chahal’s team is in danger of being relegated to Division 2 next season.