'Chin up Yuzi, see you in IPL' - Fans rally in support of Yuzvendra Chahal as India bench leg-spinner in 3rd ODI vs South Africa

Team India senior cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has made a long-awaited return to the national team for the three-match ODI series in South Africa. However, warming the bench in all three fixtures was not the kind of comeback either Yuzi or the Indian fans were hoping for. The leg-spinner did not find a place in the Playing XI for the series decider on Thursday (December 21) as well.  

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Kuldeep Yadav's emergence in limited-overs cricket has suffered a huge setback in Chahal's place in the team. The left-arm chinaman has played some excellent cricket in recent years, while the doors to his spin partner have been closed as India cannot afford two wrist spinners in the same team. 

However, with Kuldeep rested for the third ODI against the Proteas at Boland Park in Paarl, fans expected Chahal to be in the playing XI. However, that didn't happen as the Men in Blue opted for all-rounder Washington Sundar instead. The move led fans to speculate that the 33-year-old's international career is almost over.

When did Chahal last play for India?

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Chahal had a similar experience during India's recent Caribbean tour. He was picked in the ODIs but did not get a single chance. He earned a spot in the subsequent five-match T20I series but failed to make a significant impact, finishing with five wickets from as many matches at an economy rate of 9.05.

The Haryana-born cricketer was not part of the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. With the 2024 T20 World Cup around the corner, these kinds of omissions do not bode well for him. Meanwhile, fans are also not happy with the management's decision.  

Here's how fans reacted to Yuzvendra Chahal's exclusion from the third ODI against South Africa

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So chahal doesn't even get a game this series
Is it safe to say his international career is over?

— Cover drive (@Viratkafan23) December 21, 2023

Why always injustice with Yuzvendra Chahal? Just because he is not in your favourite players list?

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) December 21, 2023

Washington Sundar is playing along with Axar Patel….. Still no Yuzi Chahal…. Surprising !! #INDvsSA

— Chirag Sukhija (@RjChiragSukhija) December 21, 2023

Why so harsh on @yuzi_chahal 💔.

— yash patidar (@patidar_yash04) December 21, 2023

Including @yuzi_chahal in squad & not playing him is worse than not including him !#SAvIND #INDvSA

— Charlie Joe (@CharlieJoe4) December 21, 2023

Where chahal is missing can't give single chance to play in 11 😭😭

— Harshit Kumar (@HarshitKum23543) December 21, 2023

Apne hi player ka confidance todne me hamari india team bhut acchi he .
Chin up yuzi

— Ayush Agrawal (@AyushAg49796014) December 21, 2023

So Chahal makes it to ODI squad for 3 games and didn't feature in any of them. Don't think he is that bad. Hard luck.
See you in IPL man. #savind

— Рramod. (@Cric_Pramod) December 21, 2023