The second T20I match between India and New Zealand at Lucknow saw spin bowler Yuzvendra Chahal perform exceptionally well, yet he was not given a full quota of four overs to bowl. Chahal, 32, took the crucial wicket of Finn Allen and conceded only four runs in the two overs he bowled. This decision by the skipper, Hardik Pandya, drew criticism from former India international Gautam Gambhir.
Gambhir expressed his dissatisfaction with Pandya’s decision, stating that it made no sense to limit Chahal, who is India’s top spinner in the T20 format, to only two overs. He emphasized the importance of giving Chahal a full quota of overs, especially on a wicket that was conducive to spin bowling. Gambhir said on Star Sports after the match, “Massive surprise. I can’t answer this question, that too on a wicket like this. Chahal is your number one spinner the T20 format. Just asking him to bowl two overs and in that he got the important wicket of Finn Allen and then not using his full quota of overs makes no sense to me.”
Adding to the surprise, even though part-time spinner Deepak Hooda was given a full quota of four overs to bowl, Chahal was not afforded the same opportunity. Gambhir acknowledged the importance of giving young players such as Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi a chance to perform, but believed that the skipper should have reserved some overs for Chahal as well. He said, “Yes, you want to give young guys another opportunity like Arshdeep Singh or Shivam Mavi. But then you could have bowled Chahal in the last over as well, or earlier. So I feel he missed a trick. He could have got New Zealand bowled for maybe 80 or 85 and on this kind of pitch, you don’t want to let the opposition off the hook. Massive surprise, asking Hooda to bowl four overs but not Chahal.”
Despite this controversy, India went on to win the match by six wickets and level the three-match T20I series. Suryakumar Yadav was named Player of the Match for his innings of 26 runs off 31 deliveries in a low-scoring affair.
In conclusion, Chahal’s limited overs in the second T20I against New Zealand raised questions about the skipper’s decision-making. While it is important to give young players a chance to perform, limiting Chahal, who is India’s top spinner in the T20 format and performed well in the two overs he was given, was a controversial move. Gambhir’s criticism highlights the significance of utilizing top players to their full potential in order to secure a win for the team. Nevertheless, India’s victory in the match and leveling of the series shows that the team has the ability to overcome such controversies and perform well under pressure.
