'Hopefully this doesn't play a part in today's match' - Twitter surprised with Yuzvendra Chahal's exclusion from Pakistan game

The nerves around the India-Pakistan clash are always high, and that continues to be throughout the game, till the final delivery of the game is bowled. India and Pakistan lock horns at the MCG in Australia to open their run at the T20 World Cup 2022, and amid all the hype and excitement around the game, fans were disappointed to see Yuzvendra Chahal miss out on the playing combination.

Notably, this World Cup is Chahal’s first-ever in the format and fans had been hoping to see him make his World Cup debut against Pakistan in the campaign opener. As for the game, it was Rohit Sharma who won the toss and elected to bowl first and the team combination includes five batters, two all-rounders, three seamers, and one spinner.

Chahal has been a part of the Indian setup for a long time now but failed to make the cut for the T20 World Cup last year. This year, he has been one of India’s leading wicket-takers and has been in great form since the IPL 2022, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker. Chahal was last seen in the third game against Australia in the T20I series at home, which India won, and the spinner was very economical during his spell as he registered 1/22 at an economy of 5.50.

India and Pakistan have clashed 11 times in T20Is, of which India has won eight games and Pakistan has won three. Notably, two of the three Pakistan victories have come in the past year, which includes last year’s World Cup win, and the Asia Cup 2022 victory in the UAE. But at World Cup events, the two teams have faced each other 13 times, of which India has won on 12 occasions.

Though Chahal has missed out on the Pakistan game, fans would be hopeful to see him in the other four games. As for the Pakistan fixture, the spinners who are playing the game are Axar Patel and veteran Ravichandran Ashwin. The seamers who are a part of the combination are the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami alongside young Arshdeep Singh.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Chahal’s exclusion:

#INDvPAK
Chahal and harshal patel watching today's match from pavallion : pic.twitter.com/cXuzigPMl7

— 🅱🆄🅽🅽🆈🥳🌈 (@aakash_lakhia) October 23, 2022

Chahal in hotel#INDvPAKpic.twitter.com/FAapF9Xre3

— Dr. Strange 3.0 (@humour_kichad) October 23, 2022

Match day #INDvPAK
No chahal again 😢

— Mr. Stark (@twt_debo) October 23, 2022

Chahal chiye thaaaaaa yrr

— Kunal Phadatare (@phadatarek10) October 23, 2022

No Chahal 😕 https://t.co/EUFPFlNxuG

— Priyanka 👑 (@iPriiyanka) October 23, 2022

Pakistan has 6 Right handers in out of their top 8, and India has picked Ashwin instead of Chahal.
I'd pick Chahal over Ashwin anyday. Hopefully this doesn't play a part in today's match 🤞#indiaVsPakistan #T20WorldCup2022

— Vikranth (@tweetsbyVickie) October 23, 2022

Bhayi Ashwin preferred over Chahal 😑😑😑
Anyway, who do you think is gonna win today?#INDvPAK #Melbourne #PakVsInd #WT20 #Cricket

— Piyush Sharma (@SkarraHere) October 23, 2022

We needed chahal.

— Kunal Phadatare (@phadatarek10) October 23, 2022

DK start ahead of Pant and Ashwin start ahead of Chahal? Ashwin? madness #PakVsInd

— Ta Ailer (@_Ailer__) October 23, 2022

Again team selection is not well. I believe Chahal should play this game.. Pakistan is not much good at legspin ..lets see how it goes.

— PK (@pabitrakumar02) October 23, 2022

DK ahead of Pant
Ashwin ahead of Chahal
Shami ahead of Harshal
Is this CSK or Indian team?#DaddyArmy

— Hit Wicket (@babusathishs) October 23, 2022