I would have Yuzvendra Chahal in Test squad straightaway: Graeme Swann

Former England spinner Graeme Swann said, if he were the Indian team selector, he would have Yuzvendra Chahal in the Indian Test team “straight away”. He believes that Chahal is a world-class bowler and also opined that he is the best spinner in the world. The Englishman is impressed with the leggie’s control and ability to bowl in tricky conditions.

Hence, Swann feels the best spinner is not playing in Test cricket, while he also clarified that he cannot be sure if Chahal can adapt as well with the red ball as he has with the white ball. He reckons that some modern spinners are not as much drawn to Test cricket as before because of the hard work it demands on the fingers, body and mind.

“I’d sit down with Yuzi and I’d say, ‘What is it? Do you want to play for India?’ If he does, I’d have him in the squad straight away,” Swann told the Times of India. “I think he is world-class, he is the best spinner in the world in my opinion. His control, bowling leg-spin in very tricky conditions, especially when that ball gets dew on it and gets wet is incredible.”

Some cricketers have been pigeonholed into the white-ball format: Graeme Swann

“Definitely people get pigeonholed into one or the other format and can then find it hard,” said the former England spinner, when asked if selectors pigeonhole spinners too easily and too early on in their careers. “Well, I should say Yuzi is the best white-ball spinner then because we don’t know if he can be the best red-ball spinner. But it shows that some cricketers have been pigeonholed into the white-ball format.” 

Chahal, since making his international debut in 2016, has appeared in 61 ODIs and 60 T20Is. He has played 31 first-class matches and is yet to make a debut in Test cricket. He has been one of the most prolific bowlers for the Indian team since his debut, picking up 104 wickets in ODIs with an average of 27.44 and 75 wickets in T20Is. Swann, on the other hand, was regarded as one of the best off-spinners during his time. He made his England debut in 2000 and played in 60 Tests, 79 ODIs and 39 T20Is.