Chahal took only two wickets in the ODI series against South Africa at an average of 73.50.
Former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel said that leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal will be under pressure to perform against West Indies in the upcoming ODI series.
The three-match ODI series between India and West Indies will begin from 6th January, followed by the second and third games on 9th and 11th February, with all the matches to be played in Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the squad for the ODI series. The squad saw returning of skipper Rohit Sharma to the side after an injury. The likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar also made a return to the squad along with Ravi Bishnoi, who earned his maiden call-up.
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While many were happy with the Indian squad, a few raised their concern over the selection of Yuzvendra Chahal, especially after his performance in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa.
The leg-spinner displayed an underwhelming performance as he took only 2 wickets in the three games at a disappoiting average of 73.50.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Parthiv Patel said that Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to take wickets in the middle but he failed to do that in the ODI series against South Africa.
He pointed out that as a skipper he would expect leg-spinner to take wickets as he’s experienced and pitches in the Rainbow nation were spin and bounce friendly.
“You expect Chahal to take wickets in the middle overs but he wasn't as successful. As a captain, I would expect this from Chahal because he's playing for so many years. These are wickets where there is spin and bounce (talking about the ODI series in South Africa),” Parthiv Patel said.
Patel said that Chahal will be under pressure to perform and if he failed to take wickets, the likes of Rahul Chahar and Ravi Bishnoi are waiting for the opportunities.
“Chahal will be under pressure. If he doesn't take wickets, there are players like Rahul Chahar who was picked ahead of him in the T20 World Cup, and Ravi Bishnoi as well, who has been producing consistent performances,” he said.
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Parthiv Patel further said that Yuzvendra Chahal’s main role is to take wickets in the middle and if he doesn’t bowl 10 overs on a wicket that assist spin as he did in Cape Town, then the team will have to think about playing him.
“I believe both, India and Chahal will have to think about this because his main role in the team is to take wickets in the middle overs. If he doesn't even bowl 10 overs on a wicket that assists spin (Cape Town ODI), it shows that he didn't meet the expectations,” he said.
With the likes of Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi also in the side, it remains to be seen if Yuzvendra Chahal will find a place in the playing XI or not.
(Cricbuzz inputs)