Picture Credit: Twitter
After days of speculations, BCCI has announced the final Indian contingent for the 2021 T20 World Cup on Wednesday. From the 15-member squad that was announced earlier, only one change has been made with Axar Patel making way for Shardul Thakur. The rest of the squad has remained the same which has left all the Indian fans absolutely stunned as one of the changes that was being talked about everywhere in the media did not eventually take place.
Yes, we are talking about the inclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal in place of Rahul Chahar. When Chahar had got the nod ahead of Chahal, it wasn't very surprising considering the performances of two spinners at that time. The MI spinner was looking more lethal which is why fans had also accepted the bold call made by BCCI.
Should Chahal have replaced Chahar in India's squad?
However, things are entirely different a couple of months later. While Rahul Chahar was dropped by his franchise during the UAE leg of IPL 2021 due to poor performances, Yuzvendra Chahal rediscovered his old mojo and came out as one of the most impressive spinners in the second half of the tournament.
The RCB leggie ended the season with 18 wickets in 15 matches at a scintillating economy of 7.05. Considering the fact that the mega event will be played at the same venue as IPL, it was expected that Chahal will be selected considering his recent run of form but it did not really happen.
Fans left in shock following the announcement of final squad
The netizens were expectedly unhappy with Team India's decision to not include Yuzvendra Chahal in the 15-member squad. While some people were shocked to see the leg-spinner not getting a place in the side even as a stand-by player or reserve, others claimed his exclusion as a complete joke.
One Twitter user also questioned if Yuzvendra Chahal was the new Ambati Rayudu, reflecting on the similarities between the controversial exclusion of both players from India's squad for an ICC event.