Chahal on communication, India struggle: If Bhuvi can come back, why not Yuzi?

When the news broke that Bhuvneshwar Kumar was returning to the Indian team after four years, his former teammate Yuzvendra Chahal was also in Lucknow. But while Bhuvneshwar was making headlines for his comeback, Chahal was nowhere near the dressing room. He was in the middle, microphone in hand, discussing the game like a pundit rather than preparing to bowl to India.

It’s a strange second innings for the leg-spinner who was once synonymous with India’s white-ball attack. These days, Chahal remains associated with Indian cricket more through his voice than the googlies and top-spinners who once left batsmen searching for answers.

IND vs WI, 2nd T20I: Highlights | Scorecard

This was the scene in Ranchi as well. Ahead of the second T20I, Chahal interviewed his former partner in the famous ‘Kul-Cha’ combination, Kuldeep Yadav. Subject? Kuldeep’s achievement to surpass Chahal’s T20I wicket.

Kuldeep’s reply brought back memories of a time when two wrist spinners worked in tandem, tying batters in knots and making life miserable for opposition teams. He admitted that he was not completely satisfied with the milestone, not because of the achievement itself, but because he wished Chahal was still by his side in the Indian team.

“I’m not particularly excited about it. I’d rather play together because we could have broken a lot more records together. But it’s also nice watching you from the other end now. Whenever you’re around, there’s always a great atmosphere while playing and I’ll learn a lot about bowling from you too. I’ll always be grateful,” said Kuldeep.

It was a heartfelt tribute to a former partner. But after India’s struggles in the second T20I in Ranchi, it also raised a nagging question for fans: why is Chahal watching from the commentary box when India are looking for answers with the ball?

The Indian bowlers had a tough night on a surface that offered little respite. Rosa made catching the ball a challenge while a power-packed West Indies batting line-up made the most of the conditions. The spinners in particular had a night to forget.

India opted for three spin options in Kuldeep, Axar Patel and Naman Dhir. They just rolled between them 9.3 overs but conceded a staggering 141 runs. It was the kind of outing that will inevitably reignite the debate about India’s mid-term options.

There is, of course, no guarantee that Chahal would fare better on Ranchi’s flat deck. Even the most experienced wrist spinner can struggle when the ball is wet and the shots are in full swing. But with India looking for ways to tighten up their middle-over bowling, his absence is becoming harder for fans to ignore.

BISHNOI EXPERIMENT FABULATING?

Ravi Bishnoi was once considered the natural successor to Chahal in India’s T20I setup. Chahal last represented India in 2023, while Bishnoi made his international debut a year earlier and has positioned himself as a long-term option in the leg-spinner department.

Since his debut, Bishnoi has taken 71 wickets in 54 matches at an average of 21.02. These numbers underline his ability to impress, but his place in the side has not been constant.

After spending almost a year out of the team, Bishnoi made a comeback earlier this year as India prepared to defend their T20 World Cup title. But he largely found himself playing a supporting role to Varun Chakravarthy, whose arcane spin offered India another weapon.

Bishnoi’s recent outings have not done much to bolster his case. He played only once during India’s tour of England and scored 60 runs in that appearance. He failed to take a wicket at the Asian Games in Japan and was taken for 44 runs in three overs during the gold medal match against Pakistan.

These performances won’t erase Bishnoi’s previous achievements, but they do raise questions about India’s options if they want another leg-spinner specialist in the mix. Could Chahal, with his experience and proven track record, offer a different solution?

His numbers are certainly compelling food for thought.

CHAHAL: SECOND SHIFT SPECIALIST

Chahal took 96 wickets in 80 T20Is, but his total tells only part of the story. A closer look at his record in keeping goals reveals why he could still be a valuable option for India.

The leg-spinner took 65 wickets in 48 matches as India ranked first and defended at an average of 22.46. This ability to take wickets while protecting the target is especially important at a time when India’s bowling attack is under scrutiny.

The conditions in Ranchi also brought the dew factor into sharp focus. In an environment of night games where catching the ball can become a big challenge for spinners, Chahal’s experience could be worth revisiting. He has taken 73 wickets in 62 T20 matches played at night, at an average of 25.84.

His record in matches that India have won in total defense is even more striking. Chahal took 46 wickets in 27 such matches at an average of just 15.58.

Statistics alone cannot guarantee a successful return and past performance does not automatically translate into future results. But the numbers make a strong case for keeping Chahal in the conversation, especially as India look for wicket-taking options in the middle pacers.

The leg-spinner has already made one thing clear: he has no intention of retiring from white-ball international cricket just yet. After calling time on his first-class career, Chahal shifted his focus to the limited-overs formats and the possibility of another India call-up.

His farewell message to red ball cricket left little room for doubt.

“But I’M NOT DONE YET.

“The hunger to play for my country is still very much alive. I believe cricket has remained in me and I will give everything to deserve another opportunity in the One-Day and T20 formats,” Chahal said.

These words take on significance after Bhuvneshwar’s return. The veteran seamer has earned his way back into the Indian set-up and offers a reminder that international careers don’t necessarily end when a player falls out of favour.

Chahal’s journey back will be different. He will need to continue to perform, stay in contention and convince the selectors that he can still perform at the highest level. Bhuvneshwar’s comeback doesn’t guarantee Chahal one of his own, but it offers a timely reminder that experience still counts.

For now, Chahal remains in the commentary box, analyzing the very game he once helped India control with the spin of his wrist. With the team struggling to defend the total and fans clamoring for his return, the question is getting harder to avoid: could India’s next bowling journey be a familiar face already watching from the sidelines?

India may not have to look far for another option. Chahal is still around, still hungry and, by his own admission, not done yet. Maybe it’s time to consider whether he can offer more with the ball than he currently does behind the microphone.

– The end