WATCH: Virat Kohli discloses why Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been dropped from T20I squad

Virat Kohli discloses why Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been dropped: The Indian captain raised a valid point.

Wrist-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav getting dropped from T20I squad for India’s tour of West Indies had surely come as a surprise. While the move was deemed to be categorised under a rotation policy, the Indian selectors have persisted with the same combination for the three-match T20I series against South Africa.

Chahal, who last played a T20I during the Australia series in March this year, has picked four wickets in five matches at an average of 43.75, an economy rate of 8.75 and a strike rate of 30 in the last 12 months.

In the same time period, Yadav has dismissed 11 batsmen in six T20Is at an average of 12.45, an economy rate of 5.70 and a strike rate of 13.

Virat Kohli discloses why Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been dropped

Addressing the reporters on the eve of first T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala, India captain Virat Kohli explained why Chahal and Yadav were excluded in the first place. Among the points which Kohli touched were better balance, crediting domestic performers and batting depth.

“The increased depth in batting was one of the reasons why Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were excluded. Also, we wanted to give opportunities to the guys who have done well over the last couple of years in domestic cricket and in IPL. It is about finding the best balance in the combination and not just sticking to only one combination.

“If all teams in the world are batting till 9 and 10, then why can’t we. So, you need to take those calls at some stage. Bringing both those guys together was also not taken by people at one stage. All the decisions are made to ensure that the team has the strongest balance that we can have,” Kohli was quoted as saying.

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