'Beyond my understanding': Harbhajan Singh on Yuzvendra Chahal's exclusion from India vs South Africa T20I squad

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was on Thursday included in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa in South Africa. Chahal, who last played for India in a T20I against West Indies in August, was dropped from the India squads for the Asia Cup as well as the ODI World Cup, with the Men in Blue favouring Kuldeep Yadav instead.

Recently, Chahal had takes six wickets in Haryana’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Uttarakhand, finishing with figures of 6/26.

And while Chahal’s inclusion for the ODI series against the Proteas does come as good news for the 33-year-old, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh fails to understand why Chahal was not part of the India T20I squad to face the Proteas.

“There is no Yuzvendra Chahal in T20 format. You kept him in ODIs but not T20Is. They just gave him a lollypop to suck on. We won’t take in the format where you do well but will take for other formats. It’s beyond my understanding,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

Chahal has picked up nine wickets from four matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy so far.

Meanwhile, the experienced trio of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Umesh Yadav were overlooked from India’s Test squad to face South Africa. All three were part of the India squad that faced Australia in the World Test Championship final in June.

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However, with the likes of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah back from their injuries, it was tough for the selectors to include Pujara, Rahane and Umesh.

“I think the road is tough for a comeback. They have served Indian cricket, and are renowned cricketers. The board should have had a chat with them. They should have been informed why they are not picked and what is a possible path for them in their careers,” Harbhajan said.

“South Africa tour is not easy. It’s tough for batters. There you won’t have Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Youth are indeed getting opportunities. It’s a good thing. But I don’t think that selectors had a chat with Rahane, Pujara, or Umesh Yadav because whenever Yadav has played in Tests, he has performed,” added the 43-year-old.

India will play three T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests against South Africa, starting with the first T20I in Durban on 10 December.