I don't think there's any spinner in India better than Yuzvendra Chahal in white-ball formats: Harbhajan Singh

Legendary India spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his disappointment with the decision of selectors to exclude Yuzvendra Chahal from the Asia Cup 2023 squad. The 33-year-old was left out of the 17-man squad for the continental championship while Kuldeep Yadav was included as the lone wrist spinner along with spin all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

Harbhajan feels Chahal is team India's best spinner in the limited-overs format, adding that a few dismal performances do not make him a bad bowler. Notably, the veteran leg spinner has been in and out of the team over the last couple of years. He was included in the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022 but did not get a single game in the tournament.

"The one thing I feel is lacking in the team is the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal. A leg-spinner who can get the ball to turn away. If you talk about genuine spinner, I don't think there's any spinner in India better than Chahal in white-ball formats. Yes, his last few games weren't good, but that doesn't make him a bad bowler," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

It's important to consider Chahal for the World Cup because the tournament is in India: Harbhajan

Harbhajan went on to say that India should consider Yuzvendra Chahal for the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup which is scheduled to be contested in India from October 5. A player who will come into the squad after continuously being dropped will make a major impact, according to the 43-year-old.

"I think his presence in the team was necessary. I hope the doors aren't closed to him. It's important to consider him for the World Cup because the tournament is in India. Chahal is a proven match-winner. I can understand his form isn't good, so you may have rested him. But I think if he was with the team, his confidence would've stayed intact. Any player who comes back after being dropped, the pressure to perform is always there," the former cricketer added.