Top 5 Indian ODI bowlers of the decade

#4 Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chaha

Matches - 50, Wickets - 85, Average - 26.42, Economy Rate - 5.06, Best Figures - 6/42

Although he made his ODI debut as late as 2016, Yuzvendra Chahal has made such a stunning impact for India in the format that he had to be included in the Top 5 list. Coming through the IPL ranks, having impressed for Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore year after year, the leg-spinner has bamboozled the best of the modern era with his skills and variations.

Chahal’s two five-fors in the format have come against two of the strongest ODI teams in world cricket. He claimed 5 for 22 against South Africa at Centurion in February 2018. South Africa folded up for 118 batting first, and India clinched the match by nine wickets. Chahal’s wickets in the game included Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and Chris Morris.

In January this year, Chahal picked up his career-best of 6 for 42 against the Aussies at Melbourne, running through the middle-order. The spinner’s heroics paved the way for India’s emphatic seven-wicket victory.

It was widely believed that Chahal and fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav would be India’s trump cards at the 2019 World Cup. In hindsight, India perhaps overexposed their spinners in the run-up to the tournament. Also, the pressure of expectations may have proved too much for the duo to handle.