Is Yuzvendra Chahal’s Team India Journey Over? A Deep Dive into the Spinner’s Future
NEW DELHI: In a shocking development, Yuzvendra Chahal, one of India’s premier leg-spinners, has been excluded from the BCCI’s annual player contracts for 2023-24, sparking intense speculation about the end of his international career. Chahal, last seen in Indian colors during the 2023 series against West Indies in Lauderhill, has been conspicuously absent from national team selections, leaving fans and experts questioning: Is this the curtain call for the 34-year-old wizard of spin?
Chahal’s journey with Team India has been nothing short of inspiring. With 121 wickets in 72 ODIs at an average of 27.13 and 96 wickets in 80 T20Is, he has been a cornerstone of India’s white-ball bowling attack since his debut in 2016. His knack for outfoxing batters with guile and precision—most notably during his IPL stints with Royal Challengers Bangalore and now Rajasthan Royals—has earned him a legion of fans. Yet, the rise of younger talents and a shift in selection strategy seem to have pushed him out of the reckoning.
Delving deeper into this intriguing phase of Chahal’s career, we turn to an unconventional perspective—astrological insights from Greenstone Lobo, a renowned sports astrologer. Lobo attributes Chahal’s current struggles to cosmic shifts. “Chahal, born in 1990, came into this world under a powerful alignment with Pluto entering its own house at zero degrees—an incredibly potent position. Combined with a strongly placed Chiron and Saturn, plus Neptune in deep exaltation, his chart destined him for greatness on the cricket field,” Lobo explains.
“However,” Lobo continues, “Pluto has now entered its ‘Grey Lizard Avatar’, symbolizing transformation, often through pain and challenges. This explains the roadblock in his career and the BCCI’s decision to exclude him from central contracts. Additionally, Chahal is competing with younger spinners whose astrological charts currently show stronger planetary influences.”
Lobo points to contemporaries like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, both born in 1994, who possess formidable combinations of Neptune and Pluto in their charts. Kuldeep, with his resurgence as a wrist-spinner (taking 40 wickets in ODIs since 2022), and Axar, with his dual-threat abilities, have seemingly overtaken Chahal in the selectors’ pecking order. Moreover, emerging IPL talents like Vipraj Nigam, a promising all-rounder, and Suhas Sharma, with strong astrological indicators, are knocking on the doors of national selection, adding to the competition for spots.
Age is another pragmatic factor. At 34 years, soon turning 35, Chahal may not align with long-term plans, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon. Selectors appear to be prioritizing youth and versatility, evident in their focus on multi-skilled players like Axar and rising stars from the IPL.
Yet, is this truly the end for Chahal? Lobo remains optimistic. “Absolutely not. Chahal’s dedication to his craft sets him apart. He’s a bowler who sticks to his roots, consistently delivering match-winning performances, especially in the IPL, where he holds the record for most wickets by an Indian spinner with over 180 scalps. Expect him to shine in domestic and franchise cricket for years to come.”
Beyond playing, Lobo predicts a bright future for Chahal in alternate roles. “With an exalted Jupiter in his chart, Chahal embodies ‘guru’ energy—a mentor in the making. Post-retirement, he could excel as a commentator, leveraging his humor and social media popularity, or even as a coach and inspirational speaker. His personality and planetary alignments suggest he’ll remain a prominent figure in cricket,” Lobo adds.
In conclusion, while Yuzvendra Chahal’s exclusion from BCCI contracts raises serious doubts about his immediate international future, his legacy and potential are far from over. Whether it’s mesmerizing batters in the IPL or transitioning into influential roles off the field, Chahal’s story promises exciting chapters ahead. As fans, we can only wait and watch if the smiling assassin spins his way back into Team India—or reinvents himself in a new avatar. What do you think—has Chahal got more to give at the highest level?