Former India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has revealed why he missed the 2023 ODI World Cup despite being one of India's leading wicket-takers in white-ball cricket. The experienced spinner said the team management wanted to strengthen the batting lineup and include an extra fast bowler for the tournament.

Chahal was among India's best spin bowlers during the 2019 ODI World Cup cycle, but he was not selected for the 2023 edition, which was held in India. Speaking on former India opener Aakash Chopra's show, Chahal explained that Rohit Sharma had clearly communicated the team's plans to 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 said.

Chahal Changed His Approach After World Cup Snub. Chahal last played an ODI in January 2023. Despite his absence from India's ODI plans, he later earned a place in the squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he did not feature in any matches during the tournament. The leg-spinner also revealed that he changed his mindset during the 2024 IPL season, choosing to focus on enjoying his cricket rather than putting pressure on himself over selection. "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 added.

Chahal made his India debut in 2016 and became one of the country's leading wicket-taking spinners in T20 internationals. He has taken 96 wickets in 78 T20Is, showcasing his ability to trouble batters with his leg-spin and variations. Despite his impressive record, Chahal missed several subsequent World Cups and did not get an opportunity to play in the 2024 T20 World Cup. His latest comments offer insight into India's selection strategy for the 2023 ODI World Cup, when the team management prioritised batting depth and an additional fast-bowling option over including another specialist spinner.