Yuzvendra Chahal set to make India comeback: Report

Yuzvendra Chahal set to make India comeback: Report

Shreyas Iyer Reportedly Wants Yuzvendra Chahal Back in India’s T20I Squad

A fresh selection debate has emerged around India’s T20I plans after Times of India sports journalist Arani Basu claimed during a live discussion that captain Shreyas Iyer wants experienced leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal considered for the national side. The reported request has renewed questions about whether India could bring the veteran wrist-spinner back into international cricket.

Chahal remains one of India’s most accomplished white-ball bowlers, but he has been out of the national team for several years. His last T20 International appearance came against the West Indies in August 2023, while his most recent ODI was played in January of that year. With selectors continuing to assess younger options, a return is far from certain. Still, the reported support from Iyer could put Chahal’s name back into the conversation.

Could Chahal Make an India Comeback?

Chahal is 36 and has continued to play competitive cricket beyond the international arena. He most recently featured in the County Championship for Northamptonshire and has also remained active in the Indian Premier League. Those opportunities have allowed him to keep testing his skills against varied conditions and opponents, even as India’s spin-bowling options have evolved.

The reported appeal from Iyer is notable because the two have worked together at Punjab Kings. Chahal played under Iyer’s leadership in the IPL, giving the captain a close view of the spinner’s preparation, tactical awareness and ability to respond under pressure. A captain’s endorsement does not guarantee selection, but it can carry weight when selectors are weighing experience against emerging talent.

Any comeback prediction, however, should be treated cautiously. Selection depends on several factors, including Chahal’s current form, the team’s balance, the conditions expected in upcoming tournaments and the performances of other wrist-spinners. The selectors will also need to decide whether his experience offers a clear advantage over younger candidates competing for the same role.

Selection Policy and the Return of Experienced Players

India’s approach to selection has often shifted between investing in younger players and relying on proven performers. Under former chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the squad frequently made room for emerging talent. His departure, followed by the appointment of Pragyan Ojha as chief selector, has prompted renewed discussion about whether the selection panel may take a different view of experienced players.

The reported return of fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has added to that debate. His recall was widely viewed as a significant decision, particularly because it suggested that age alone may not rule out a player who continues to perform. If selectors are prepared to reward form and fitness, other established names could also become relevant again.

Mohammed Shami and Krunal Pandya are among the experienced players whose performances have kept them in discussions around national selection. Their situations are not identical to Chahal’s, but they illustrate a broader question facing Indian cricket: should selection focus primarily on long-term potential, or should current performance and proven international ability carry greater weight?

Chahal’s International Record and IPL Contributions

Chahal’s international numbers underline why his name continues to attract attention. He has represented India in 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is, taking 121 wickets in the 50-over format and 96 in T20 cricket. His leg-spin, variations in pace and willingness to attack the stumps have made him a valuable option in white-ball cricket, especially when a team needs a wicket-taking bowler through the middle overs.

His recent IPL campaigns with Punjab Kings have offered a mixed but encouraging picture. In IPL 2025, Chahal claimed 16 wickets in 13 innings. During the 2026 season, he took 12 wickets across 12 innings. His economy rate in both campaigns was between nine and ten runs per over, a figure that reflects the increasingly aggressive nature of T20 batting as well as the demands placed on attacking spinners.

Chahal reportedly took time to find his rhythm early in the 2026 season. Once he settled, however, he became a more regular source of breakthroughs for Iyer’s side. That ability to recover from a difficult start may have contributed to the captain’s reported confidence in him. In T20 cricket, a bowler’s value is not measured by economy alone: timely wickets can disrupt a batting lineup and change the direction of an innings.

What Chahal Could Offer India

If India were to consider Chahal again, his greatest asset would be his experience in high-pressure white-ball situations. He has played across formats, toured internationally and delivered in the IPL, where batters routinely target spinners. His variations and familiarity with different match scenarios could be useful in a squad preparing for demanding T20 assignments.

At the same time, the team would have to consider how he fits into its current bowling combination. India may prefer a balance of wrist-spin, finger-spin and pace options, while also accounting for fielding, batting depth and the conditions at each venue. A return would therefore depend not only on Chahal’s individual record but on the role the team wants its specialist spinners to perform.

A Selection Debate to Watch

Basu’s reported claim has not confirmed that Chahal will be recalled; it has instead brought a possible selection preference into public discussion. The next step will be to watch Chahal’s performances, fitness and availability, alongside the results of India’s current spin options. Any final decision will rest with the selectors and team management.

For now, Chahal’s comeback remains a possibility rather than a certainty. Yet the discussion reflects a broader shift in how India may assess experienced players. If selectors continue to place greater emphasis on performance than age, the door could remain open for veterans who demonstrate that they can still contribute at the highest level. Chahal’s record, recent IPL work and reported backing from Iyer make him a name worth following as India’s T20I plans take shape.

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