• Source:JND
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JE Sports Desk: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal should not be overlooked for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India as he was not included in playing 11 for the entire T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Chahal has been part of India's white-ball setup but despite being the consistent performer, the spinner has to face a tough fight for his spot in the playing 11 among Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ganguly mentioned that a wrist spinner like Chahal will be crucial for India in the marquee event at home conditions.

"I feel India have to find a wrist-spinner for this World Cup. Jadeja is there, Ravichandran Ashwin is there, Axar Patel is there, who according to me is also an exceptional all-rounder. (Ravi) Bishnoi and Kuldeep (Yadav) are there but (Yuzvendra) Chahal somehow misses big tournaments. He performs extremely consistently in shorter formats, whether it is 20-over or 50-over. It is important to keep an eye on him as well," Ganguly told Star Sports.

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president further said wrist spinner plays an important role against SENA countries.

"When you will play Australia, England or South Africa, a wrist-spinner makes a difference in these conditions. In 2011, there was Piyush Chawla, who bowled well."

Ganguly went on to recall how spinners contributed to India's inaugural T20 World Cup win in South Africa in 2007.

"When we went to South Africa in 2007, there also our wrist-spinners bowled well along with the fast bowlers. Harbhajan Singh was in that team. I feel it will be extremely important to keep a wrist-spinner in Indian conditions," he added.

Chahal will be seen in India colours against West Indies in three-match ODI series beginning on July 27. Before the white-ball series, India are scheduled to play two-match Test series against West Indies which will kick-off their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.