Team India preferred off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and left-arm spinner Axar Patel ahead of the leg-spinner for the T20 World Cup 2022. Both Ashwin and Axar had disappointing campaigns Down Under. While Ashwin claimed six wickets in six matches, Axar managed only three in five.
In the wake of India’s semi-final exit from the ICC tournament, questions are being raised about the decision to bench Chahal, especially since leg-spinners from other nations made an impact in the competition. Admitting Team India made a blunder, Kaif told Sportskeeda:
While India’s Chahal warmed the benches, Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga finished as the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2022, claiming 15 scalps in eight matches.
Pakistan’s Shadab Khan also picked up 11 wickets in seven matches. And while England’s Adil Rashid managed only four wickets in six games, he had an exceptional economy rate of 6.12.
“The selectors get influenced by IPL performances” - Kaif on Chahal missing out on T20 World Cup last year
Pointing out that Chahal was shockingly left out of last year’s World Cup as well, Kaif claimed that the Indian selectors seem to be giving too much importance to IPL success.
Reflecting on the decision to drop Chahal in favor of Varun Chakravarthy for last year’s World Cup, the former batter commented:
Chakravarthy had a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE last year. He played three matches and went wicketless in all three. The cricketer hasn’t played a match for India since then.
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