Shreevats Goswami Highlights Yuzvendra Chahal’s Lack of Test Opportunity and India’s Leg‑Spin Vacuum

Shreevats Goswami, the former India U‑19 wicketkeeper, has reflected on Yuzvendra Chahal’s career and his continued absence from India’s Test cricket setup. He drew parallels with cricket’s legendary figures and discussed the evolution of Indian leg‑spin over recent decades.

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast, Goswami employed sporting analogies to illustrate his point about elite performance. He contrasted Virat Kohli’s brand of greatness with Shane Warne’s spinner’s mastery, then turned his attention to Chahal. “If Virat Kohli is the Ronaldo of cricket, Shane Warne was the Messi—an absolute magician. But I always think of Chahal, who hasn’t played any Tests for India. If he had played Tests, he could have been one of the greats,” Goswami said.

“It’s surprising that he has never played a Test for India. Amit Mishra was really good for a brief while. But after Kumble, India hasn’t produced any great leg‑spinners,” he added.

Chahal’s absence from Test cricket

Chahal has never appeared in a Test match for India, as the national team management has consistently favoured Kuldeep Yadav for the longest format. The leg‑spinner debuted in ODIs in June 2016 against Zimbabwe and has since become a fixture in India’s white‑ball side. Despite his successes in limited‑overs cricket, the door to Test selection has remained shut throughout his international career.

Chahal’s limited‑overs record is impressive: he became the second player and the first Indian to claim a six‑wicket haul in T20I history, a milestone that underscored his potency in the shortest format. He was part of the squad that lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup, although he did not feature in the tournament itself. His white‑ball credentials remain strong, yet the Test arena continues to elude him despite his domestic performances and the demand for spin depth in India’s bowling attack.

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