New Delhi: Varun Chakravarthy is set to be rewarded for his heroics in the T20I series against England with multiple reports confirming that the mystery spinner has been added to Team India’s squad for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against England. Chakravarthy, who bamboozled English batters in the T20I series with 14 wickets in five matches including a five-wicket haul has been included in the 50-over squad, according to a report in the Hindustan Times (HT).
Chakravarthy has joined India’s training camp in Nagpur ahead of the first ODI on February 6, Thursday. As per the report, the wily spinner was put through the fielding drills in Nagpur on Tuesday and also bowled a few overs to star batters Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.
India already have four spinners – Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja – in the squad but Chakravarthy’s effectiveness against the English batters might have prompted the selectors to add him to the squad.
Is Champions Trophy call-up on the cards for Chakravarthy?
On Monday, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin backed the inclusion of Chakravarthy in India’s 3-match ODI series against England and in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin backed the Tamil Nadu spinner to get a chance in the ICC tournament. India have released a provisional side, and not the final one and selectors have time until the conclusion of the England series to strengthen the squad for the marquee event, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19.
Though Chakravarthy has been among the wickets recently, he remains untested in ODI cricket. The mystery spinner has played 18 T20Is for the national team but is yet to make his ODI debut. However, Chakravarthy, who did well for Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy – India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, will have a chance to impress the selectors provided he is included in the playing X1 in the England ODI series.
If the spin wizard produces the goods against England, Indian selectors might have a problem of plenty as
India would be eager to retain their batting depth in the Champions Trophy.
With Jadeja, Axar and Washington all capable of delivering the goods with the bat in the lower middle order and Kuldeep also possessing decent batting talent, Chakravarthy, an old-fashioned tailender, might find it difficult to enter the playing X1.
Varun Chakravarthy: After reportedly getting a chance to impress the national selectors in the England ODI series, India’s mystery spinner will be eager to give a perfect audition for the ICC Champions Trophy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
