India’s Forgotten Star Delivers 5-Wicket Haul in County Cricket: A Clear Message to Agarkar and BCCI
While most of Team India’s stars are preparing for the Test series against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19, a few of its dropped players are making an effort to redeem themselves. Ten days ago, Ajinkya Rahane, who was once a mainstay of India’s Test batting lineup, achieved his 40th First-Class century for Leicestershire against Glamorgan, scoring 102 off 192 balls. Yesterday, Yuzvendra Chahal took five wickets out of Glamorgan, putting Northamptonshire in the driver’s seat.
In the current County Championship, this was Chahal’s second five-for in as many games in a month. The India leg-spinner was instrumental in Northants’ nine-wicket victory over Kent in August, taking 5/14.
On Tuesday, Chahal achieved his third five-wicket haul of his First-Class career, dismissing Wayne Madsen, Aneurin Donald, Zak Chappell, Alex Thomson, and Jack Morley. He was bowling some absolute jewels.
The actions of Chahal remind the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee why they should reconsider dismissing him. Over the past couple of years, Chahal has gradually lost his role as the mainstay of India’s white-ball spin assault, along with Kuldeep Yadav. He participated in the USA and West Indies T20 World Cup campaign for India, which the Men in Blue won, but predictably, he did not receive a game. Chahal experienced the same scenario in Australia during the 2022 T20 World Cup, where all he did was warm the bench.
However, Chahal has reportedly fallen out of favour with the BCCI despite formerly being a pillar of the Indian cricket squad and a major draw for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. But his strong showing in the County Championship should catch the selectors’ notice. It might mark a turning point and open the door to a recall to the national team in the future.
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