Senior leg-spinner 's international future remains one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket. Once the undisputed leader of India's white-ball
spin attack, Chahal has found himself on the fringes of the national setup in recent years as selectors increasingly prioritise younger options and multi-dimensional cricketers.
However, India's newly appointed spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule believes the veteran leg-spinner still has plenty to offer if given another opportunity at the highest level.
The 35-year-old leg-spinner from Haryana - who is the leading wicket-taker in the - last played in India colours in December 2023.
Speaking on Doordarshan's The Great Indian Cricket Show, Bahutule admitted that predicting Chahal's place in India's future plans is difficult given the intense competition for spin-bowling spots and the selectors' focus on building towards the future.
" has performed really well whenever he has played for the country. However, it is difficult for me to say exactly where he stands regarding a national comeback because of the intense competition, and because the selectors are looking towards the future," Bahutule said.
The remarks reflect the challenge facing Chahal as he attempts to force his way back into India's white-ball plans. Despite being one of India's most successful T20I bowlers and a proven wicket-taker across formats, the leg-spinner has not featured regularly for the national team as management has explored younger alternatives and spin-bowling all-rounders.
Yet Bahutule stopped short of ruling out a comeback and expressed confidence in Chahal's ability to make an impact if recalled. "That said, I feel he is someone who can always be relied upon if given the chance to play for India, and he will do well," he added.
The statement is significant because it comes from India's spin bowling coach at a time when discussions around the role of specialist spinners have intensified. While modern T20 cricket increasingly values versatility and batting depth, Bahutule made it clear that he remains a strong believer in specialist spin bowlers.
According to him, a dedicated spinner brings a level of control and responsibility that cannot always be replicated by an all-rounder.
"We need a specialist spinner every time we take the field. Relying on an all-rounder can be a half-and-half compromise where you end up giving them maybe two overs rather than their entire quota. But if you have a specialist spinner whom you believe in, he can take full responsibility for bowling those four overs and creating pressure. For me, a specialist spinner is essential," Bahutule said.
Those comments could be viewed as an encouraging sign for players such as Chahal, whose biggest strength has always been his wicket-taking ability rather than his contributions with the bat. In recent years, India's preference for spin-bowling all-rounders has often left specialist bowlers competing for fewer spots, particularly in T20 cricket.
Bahutule also weighed in on the Impact Player rule in the IPL, suggesting that while it creates additional opportunities for players, it has altered the value of traditional all-rounders.
"The Impact Player rule dilutes the all-rounder category, and at times, even the specialist batter and fast bowler categories. Then again, given the nature of the tournament, the Impact Player rule gives an additional player the chance to play, so why not?" he said.
"It helps a cricketer who might not have played otherwise get an opportunity to express themselves, perform, and stake a claim for a higher level. But from my perspective, a specialist spinner remains crucial. "
For Chahal, the road back to the Indian team remains challenging. The emergence of younger spinners, the selectors' long-term planning and the emphasis on squad flexibility mean no place can be taken for granted. However, Bahutule's comments suggest that experience, wicket-taking ability and specialist skills still hold significant value in Indian cricket.
