Indian team management keen on keeping Yuzvendra Chahal ready for the Test series

Yuzvendra Chahal has evolved as one of the most important members of the Indian limited-overs squad. He has excelled in the ODIs and T20Is in the recent times and is Virat Kohli‘s go-to man in crunch situations. However, with little first-class experience behind his back, he is yet to step foot in Test cricket and make his debut. But, apparently, the Indian team management wants him to be ready for the longer format as well.

The selectors have only announced the squad for the first three Tests against England. The squad for the last two Tests is yet to be named. It seems as if the team management and Kohli, in particular, wants the wiry leg-spinner in the squad for Test matches as well. Hence, to keep Chahal prepared for the challenge, the selectors picked him for India A squad for the home series against South Africa A to keep him match-ready.

Shreyas Iyer confident of Chahal’s ability

Chahal has not played first-class cricket since December 2016. He has kept himself away from red-ball cricket. But, India A skipper Shreyas Iyer believes that the return of the leggie with help his team a great deal. The skipper feels that having a leg-spinner in the line-up is a great advantage.

“He (Chahal) will be playing red-ball cricket after a long time. Having a leg-spinner in the team is always has an advantage, especially on these tracks and also they can get wickets at any moment of time because you get a lot of turn on this pitch,” Iyer told reporters on the eve of the game.

The 23-year old right-handed batsman also added that this would be a great exposure for Chahal. “It is going to be a great exposure for him as well because he carries a lot of experience being a senior player. Also, he has played in different conditions. He can play a major role if he backs himself,” Iyer noted.

Iyer himself is playing red-ball cricket after an 8 months gap and is up for the challenge.

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