Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has termed Yuzvendra Chahal’s absence from the first T20I vs Australia as unfair. Washington Sundar was picked over the leg spinner as Team India named the playing XI for the game. Meanwhile, Chahal has the reputation of a senior leg-spinner in the side and that he was dropped was unfair on him felt Manjrekar.
During his commentary stint in the first T20I, Sanay Manjrekar spoke at length on Chahal’s absence. He also said that not picking him in the XI being a leg spinner was unfair on the leg-spinner, who has been a consistent performer in the shortest formats.
“I feel sorry for Chahal. I just feel that it’s one of those games where they feel that he is tired, he has played a couple of games and let’s rest him. Also, the lines are getting blurred between 50 overs and T20s. When you look at Chahal, he has had his best IPL ever as a leg-spinner and in the first game he plays for India, he is dropped,” he said on Sony Ten 1.
Also Read:Watch: Hardik Pandya Takes a Diving Catch To Dismiss Aaron Finch in First T20I off Yuzvendra Chahal
Unfair on Yuzvendra Chahal: Sanjay Manjrekar
“Some of the things that are happening because of the number of matches, also he had a couple of rough games in the ODIs, that’s a little unfair. He was in such great T20I form but unfortunate to be dropped for the first T20I. I am looking so far ahead. I am just looking at players available and what could be India’s best possible XI” Manjrekar further added.
As it turned out, Yuzvendra Chahal was called in as a concussion replacement for Ravindra Jadeja who was hit on the head while he was batting. He also took the first two wickets to fall in the Australian innings. Chahal did leak runs in the ODI series but he has been India’s go-to bowler in the shortest format.
And he did prove to be the game-changer for India picking three wickets including two major breakthroughs including that of Aaron Finch and Steve Smith. Debutant T Natarajan also returned with impressive figures as India pocketed the first T20I beating Australia by 11 runs.