IND vs SA: 'Being ignored purposefully' - Fans in shock as Yuzvendra Chahal ignored despite Kuldeep Yadav's absence

Add as a preferred source on Google

IND vs SA: Yuzvendra Chahal was ignored for the third consecutive time as India took on South Africa for the third and final ODI at the Boland Park in Centurion on Thursday, December 21.

Kuldeep Yadav played ahead of Chahal in the second and second T20I. Fans were expecting Chahal to get into the eleven the moment Kuldeep Yadav is rested.

However, fans were left perplexed when Washington Sundar was preferred ahead of Chahal for the series-decider after Kuldeep Yadav was rested. Notably, Chahal was also ignored for the Asia Cup 2023 and the following World Cup 2023.

Chahal had warmed up perfectly for the series by taking 18 wickets in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 matches at an average of 14.83. Despite not playing in the semi-final and final, he finished the tournament as the joint second-highest wicket-taker. Haryana won the final by beating Rajasthan.

The treatment of the 33-year-old star leg-spinner has not gone down well with the fans. A few of them have claimed that the BCCI and the Indian cricket team management is not playing him intentionally.

The likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar reckoned that the decision to play Washington Sundar could have been made as the off-spinner gives batting depth to the team. They also pointed out that Paarl is not known to support spinners.

India were bundled out for 211 in the second ODI which they lost by eight wickets. The winner of the third ODI will win the series 2-1.