Cricket fans are sending well wishes to star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has revealed he is currently sidelined due to a double bout of dengue and chikungunya. The impactful bowler has been out of action since late November, missing crucial domestic matches for Haryana, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Chahal shared his health status on Thursday, December 18th, expressing his disappointment at being unable to represent his team.
“Wishing my team Haryana all the very best for the SMAT finals. I wished to be a part of the team, but unfortunately I am down with dengue and chikungunya, which have really taken a toll on my health,” Chahal stated. He is currently focusing on rest and recovery as advised by medical professionals. Despite the setback, Chahal remains optimistic about his return to competitive cricket. He expressed confidence in his ability to “be back on the field and bowling at my full strength soon.”
While no specific return date has been announced, Chahal will be aiming to be fit for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, set to commence on December 24th. The experienced campaigner has not featured for the Indian national team since the T20 World Cup last year, with his last international appearance in August 2023. To maintain his form and competitive edge, Chahal recently played county cricket in England for Northamptonshire, delivering strong performances in both the One Day Cup and the County Championship. His continued importance in domestic and franchise cricket is evident, as he was retained by Punjab Kings for the upcoming IPL season.