'We want batters till number eight’ - Chahal recalls Rohit Sharma's words after 2023 World Cup snub

Yuzvendra Chahal has opened up about his exclusion from India's 2023 ODI World Cup squad, revealing a conversation he had with captain Rohit Sharma about the selection decision. The spinner, who had emerged as one of India's leading white-ball wicket-takers, found himself outside the 15-member squad for the tournament. Chahal's omission marked a significant moment in his international career, as he had been a key player in India's white-ball setup for several years.

When Chahal travelled to play County cricket in 2023, Rohit communicated the team's selection philosophy directly to him. The captain explained the reasoning behind the decision and what the team was prioritising for the World Cup campaign. This conversation provided clarity to Chahal about his omission, even as it disappointed him.

"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 was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

What Rohit told Chahal about the 2023 World Cup selection

Chahal's response to the World Cup snub was to refocus his energy on domestic cricket. When he returned to play in the Indian Premier League in 2024, he approached the tournament with a fresh mindset, determined to enjoy the game rather than chase selection. His performances that season caught the attention of the team management once again.

"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," Chahal said.

Multiple World Cup omissions and emotional toll

Chahal's journey through multiple World Cup cycles across different formats had tested his resilience over several years. He had missed the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups before the 2023 ODI World Cup snub. Despite being part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup winning squad, he did not feature in any matches during that tournament. The repeated omissions weighed on him differently at various stages of his career.

"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," he noted.

"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 added.

Chahal's career statistics underscored his value as a white-ball bowler. Since his T20 International debut in mid-2016, he has accumulated 96 wickets across 78 T20I matches. In T20 cricket overall, he holds 396 wickets in 343 matches, the highest tally among Indian bowlers in the format. His last ODI appearance came on January 24, 2023, against New Zealand, while his final T20I was on August 13, 2023, against the West Indies.