Yuzvendra Chahal established himself as one of India’s most prolific white-ball spinners, but his international career took a sharp turn in 2023 when he was overlooked for the ODI World Cup at home. Despite his impressive record in limited-overs cricket, the leg-spinner has never featured in a World Cup match.
Speaking to former India opener Aakash Chopra, the 36-year-old revealed that then-captain Rohit Sharma had explained the team management’s reasoning behind his omission from the 15-member squad for the 2023 tournament.
“In 2023, when I went to play County, Rohit had told me that we want batters till number eight, so we were going with that. He told me clearly that they were also looking for an extra fast bowler for the World Cup. So it was made clear to me. After the World Cup, I just stopped thinking about selection,” Chahal said.
Although Chahal last played a T20I in August 2023, he earned a place in India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he remained on the sidelines throughout the tournament.
His performances in the IPL that year helped revive his prospects, with Rohit expressing his desire to have the spinner in the squad.
“In the IPL 2024, I just came to enjoy and did not put extra pressure on myself. That season, I did well, and Rohit told me he wanted me and we would see in the selection meeting,” he added.
Chahal has taken 96 wickets in 78 T20Is since making his debut in 2016, but missed the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Reflecting on his World Cup disappointments, Chahal said missing out on selection altogether hurt more than being part of the squad without playing.
“I felt worse in 2021 because I was not there at all. In 2022, at least I was in the team. Sometimes you also know the combination may not work. So I did not think a lot. But you always feel that you should have at least played one World Cup game. Rohit had told me that I would play only if a particular combination worked. So at least I had the clarity,” he said.
Chahal recently completed a County stint with Northamptonshire before announcing his retirement from First-Class cricket in August 2026, having claimed 148 wickets in 49 matches.
Published on Oct 16, 2026
