'This day 7 years ago I received my debut cap from Mahi Bhai' - Yuzvendra Chahal recalls stepping stone of India journey

Team India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, on Sunday, June 11, recalled his senior national team debut. On this day (June 11, 2016), the 32-year-old made his one-day international (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
 
Chahal recalled his international debut seven years ago, receiving his debut cap from the then-India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to play for the Indian cricket team. He also stated that his life has been nothing but a journey of making the country proud with his talent and the passion of always wanting to win it for his team and fans since then. He added that he is always grateful for the opportunity to play under the leadership of Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, describing them as everyone's inspiration to date.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner took to Twitter and shared a few images of himself receiving the debut cap from Dhoni, along with a note.

"This day 7 years ago I received my debut cap from Mahi Bhai to bowl for the Indian Cricket Team. Since then, my life has been nothing but a journey of making India proud with the talent I possess and the spirit of always wanting to win it for my team and fans. I am definitely fortunate enough to have played along with 3 of my mentors and everyone’s inspiration till date Mahi Bhai, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With the best guidance on and off field.

I have always worked towards my goals and will continue to do so… since we have more records to break  So with great pride and honour in my heart I would want to express my feeling of being grateful to God, my mentors and my colleagues. Today is special and Many more special days awaited ahead. JAI HIND," Chahal's tweet read.

See Chahal's tweet:

This day 7 years ago I received my debut cap from Mahi Bhai to bowl for the Indian Cricket Team. Since then my life has been nothing but a journey of making India proud with the talent I possess and the spirit of always wanting to win it for my team and fans. I am definitely… pic.twitter.com/M57PqVkSTx

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) June 11, 2023

 
Chahal has been a regular in India's white-ball setup since his debut. He has 121 wickets at an average of 27.13 and an economy rate of 5.26 in the 50-over format. In 75 T20Is, he has taken 91 wickets at an average of 24.68 and an economy rate of 8.13. He last appeared in an ODI against New Zealand in January 2023.

Chahal grabbed 21 wickets for RR in 14 matches in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, with an average of 20.57 and an economy rate of 8.18. The Haryana-born cricketer is also the leading wicket-taker of the lucrative league, with 187 wickets in 145 matches at an average of 21.69 and an economy rate of 7.67.