'Not Thinking Of Asia Cup or World Cup' - Yuzvendra Chahal focused on India vs West Indies T20 series

Team India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Saturday (August 5) said that his focus remains only on the ongoing T20I series against West Indies and not on his position in the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and ICC ODI World Cup.

Chahal, who is a regular in the IPL, has been in and out of the Indian team. The spinner also This series could be crucial for him in terms of determining his place in the upcoming major tournaments. However, he stated that he is not thinking about his place in the teams for the tournaments.

Chahal said there is no point thinking about things that are not in his control like a Asia Cup or World Cup spot as he remains focussed on the remainder of the T20 series.

"The only thing I am focused on is that I am here, there are four matches left and I have to perform well in it. I don't think about things that are not in my hand. I think step by step. I am not thinking about the Asia Cup or the World Cup, I am only thinking about the T20I series against West Indies," Chahal said in the pre-match conference.

The Asia Cup 2023 will take place later this month from August 30 to September 17 in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, while the ODI World Cup will be played at home from October 5 to November 19.

Chahal, who featured in the 2019 World Cup squad, has been often left out of the 50-over set up since the show-piece event four years ago. However, he played one ODI each earlier this year against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

In fact, Chahal was unused in the ODI series against West Indies with Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel preferred for the tweakers role in the line-up. The Kul-Cha partnership, once the most reliable combo has rarely played together as well.

Chahal, however, understands that only two spinners can play in most matches, adding that team combination is a priority, but said he will keep working hard in the nets and grab an opportunity.

"Team combination is our priority and it is not something new. At 7 we generally play Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel. Three spinners can only play if the wickets are spin friendly," Chahal added.

"Kuldeep is bowling really well, he is in a great rhythm and that's why team is backing him. I keep working on nets so that whenever I get the chance I will grab it."

For now, Chahal and Co will be looking to bounce back and level the ongoing T20 series when they face West Indies in the second T20I at the Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana on Sunday (August 6).