Yuzvendra Chahal: EXCLUSIVE: Was disappointed when I was not picked for the World Cup squad, happy and excited to be back, says Yuzvendra Chahal | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: New captain, new coach, and a new challenge – the home series against New Zealand. But Indian spinner and comeback man Yuzvendra Chahal is confident of putting up a good show in the three-match Twenty20 International series against New Zealand, starting Wednesday (November 17) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The second T20I will be played at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi and will be followed by the third and last T20I at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Chahal didn’t find a place in the India squad for the recently concluded 2021 ICC T20 World Cup and his omission had raised many eyebrows. The 31-year-old spinner though reclaimed his place in the India squad for the upcoming series against the Black Caps.
With the three-match series set to kick off between India and New Zealand on Wednesday, TimesofIndia.com caught up with Chahal to talk about his comeback, playing under new captain Rohit Sharma, new coach Rahul Dravid, memorable moments with former coach Ravi Shastri and more…
How excited are you to be back in the Indian team for the New Zealand series?
I am very excited. You always love being on the field and when the call came, I was so happy. Playing for India is a big thing and can’t be expressed in words. So, I am really happy as well as excited to be back. I will do what I have been doing – controlling the flow of runs and taking as many wickets for my team as possible. I will try my level best to win this series for my team. I am confident that we will win the series.

Yuzvendra Chahal (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
You will be playing under a new captain Rohit Sharma. You share a good relationship with him…
I have played three series under Rohit bhaiya. I have known him for many years. I started my IPL career with Mumbai Indians and I got to spend a lot of time with him. I share a very good bond with him. The bond I share with Rohit bhaiya is similar to the one I have with Virat bhaia. The best and similar quality in Rohit and Virat is that they give freedom to the bowlers when they bowl. They always say – tujhe pata hai kya karna hai, jaake ball daal usko (you know what you have to do, bowl accordingly to the batsman). I don’t think there would be any change. Virat and Rohit as captains are the same. They both back youngsters and give us freedom.
How disappointed were you when you didn’t see your name in the India squad for the ICC T20 World Cup?
It’s a huge event. When I didn’t see my name, I was disappointed. But I am someone who accepts things and moves on. By moving on, I mean I continue to put in hard work, practice more and more. These kinds of phases come and go in a sports person’s life. There are only 15 members who make it to the squad. Yes, I was sad and disappointed. But, in the end, you always put the country on first and want as many wins for your team. The big aim right now is next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Are you confident of sealing a berth in the Indian squad for next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia?
Yes, that’s my ultimate aim but before that, there are many series that will be played and I want to keep my focus on one series at a time. I want to keep bowling the way I have been all these years.

Yuzvendra Chahal (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The Virat-Shastri era has come to an end now…
Ravi sir, Arun sir, and Sridhar sir have backed me a lot. I can’t forget their role in my bowling and overall game all my life. Whenever I made mistakes, Ravi sir personally came and corrected me and helped me. Whenever I asked him anything, he was always there to help me. When I came into the Indian team, he was the coach and these four years with him were amazing. I played my first World Cup – the 2019 ODI World Cup – under Shastri sir. It was a great learning experience with him. Virat bhaiya and Ravi sir’s partnership was incredible. Both have taken Indian cricket to greater heights. I have good memories of playing under him. I maintained a very good relationship with him (Shastri) both on and off the field. Not just me, the entire Indian team will miss him. But he will always be a part of the family.
Do you want to share any memorable moments you shared with Ravi Shastri?
There was a phase when I was missing out on caught and bowled opportunities. Ravi sir came and took me to Sridhar sir and they both sat and gave me a lot of tips. In fact, they both took me to the nets and pointed out some technicalities. They both ensured that I didn’t miss any caught and bowled chances from thereon. Those tips and guidance really worked well for me. Their tips helped my fielding a lot.

Image credit: BCCI
Will you miss playing under Virat in T20Is? Any interesting anecdotes you want to share of playing under Virat in T20Is?
Virat bhaiya will always be around. He has backed me a lot. – Yuzi, isko out karna hai, isko run mat maarne dio, mujhe pata hai tu kar lega (You have to get this batsman out, don’t let him score too many runs, I know you can do it)- these encouraging words by Virat bhaiya will always be there with me. I have many memories with Virat bhaiya as a captain. I remember the T20I match against West Indies (1st T20I, in Hyderabad, December 2019). (Kieron) Pollard and (Shimron) Hetmyer were hammering us. Virat bhaiya came and gave the ball to me in the 18th over. There was dew. Virat bhaiya asked me to bowl in certain areas. I claimed both Pollard and Hetmyers wickets in one over. There were many matches and occasions just like this one. I can’t point out one particular match. Virat bhaiya also told me beforehand that he can bring me into the attack at any point of time. Be it the 2nd over, 15th, 18th or 20th, he always told me to be ready. Such confidence I have got from him. Both Virat bhaiya and Rohit bhaiya have given me a lot of confidence.
You will be playing under a new coach as well – Rahul Dravid…
I have already played a lot of India A matches under Rahul sir. In fact, the Sri Lanka tour also was under him. It is a good feeling. He is a legend of the game. I know him already and have played a lot of cricket under his coaching so it would be interesting. He knows me inside out and has supported and guided me a lot.

Yuzvendra Chahal (BCCI)
You have played 56 ODIs and 49 T20Is so far for India. The Test debut has not happened yet. How highly would you rate your chances of playing red-ball cricket for India?
It is my dream to play Test cricket for India. Every cricketer wants to play Test cricket. It feels surreal when someone calls you a ‘Test player’. I consider Test cricket to be above ODIs and T20Is. And everyone knows that. I will keep trying for this (Test debut). I will continue to chase this dream. If I get a chance, I will feel very lucky.