‘Lollypop de diya…’: Harbhajan Singh highlights irony behind BCCI picking Yuzvendra Chahal for ODIs in South Africa but not for T20Is

The recent announcement of India’s squad for the South Africa tour stirred up a whirlwind of reactions among cricket enthusiasts. While many were thrilled to witness the return of Yuzvendra Chahal to the ODI format, the exclusion of the seasoned spinner from the T20Is left fans and experts puzzled.

One of the most vocal voices expressing his opinion on the matter was none other than former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who took to his YouTube channel to deliver a candid critique of the selection decisions.

Chahal’s rollercoaster ride

A familiar face in the Indian cricket scene, Chahal faced a series of setbacks recently as he missed out on crucial tournaments such as the Asia Cup 2023 and the ODI World Cup 2023. The T20I series against Australia also didn’t feature the leg-spinner. However, the South Africa tour brought a ray of hope for Chahal as he found his place back in the ODI squad.

Harbhajan’s blunt assessment

Known for his straightforward opinions, Harbhajan didn’t mince words when expressing his views on the selectors’ decisions. In a scathing remark, the veteran spinner used the colloquial phrase “Lollypop de diya bande ko” (They gave him a lollypop) to emphasize the irony of Chahal’s inclusion in ODIs as he was silently sidelined from T20Is. Harbhajan further went on to criticize the management’s strategy, questioning the rationale behind picking players.

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The puzzle of selection criteria

Harbhajan highlighted the perplexing nature of team selection, stating, “Aap jo format me acha karte hain wo nahi khilayenge baki ka format khilayenge” (They won’t select you for the format where you do well but will make you play other formats).

This critique from the Punjab-born cricketer delved into the enigma of how players who excel in a particular format often find themselves sidelined in favor of playing other formats where they might not perform as strongly.

Chahal’s T20I track record

Notably, Yuzvendra Chahal boasts an impressive record in T20Is, having taken 96 wickets in 80 matches. His exceptional performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is the all-time leading wicket-taker with 187 scalps, further underscore his prowess in the shortest format of the game.

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