In-form mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been added to India’s ODI squad following his stellar performances in the recently concluded T20I series against England. The team management is eager to keep his momentum going as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
There is a possibility that Chakravarthy could replace one of the four specialist spinners in the Champions Trophy squad. Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar could be the players at risk of being dropped to make room for the mystery spinner. His chances of making the final squad depend on his performance in the upcoming ODIs.
Chakravarthy, who claimed 14 wickets in five T20Is against England and was named the ‘Player of The Series,’ has not been included in the three ODIs against England or the Champions Trophy later this month. However, he was seen training and bowling in the nets ahead of the ODIs.
India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill confirmed Chakravarthy’s inclusion in the squad during a media interaction after the team’s training session. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is reportedly keen on keeping Chakravarthy in rhythm by having him bowl to top-order players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant.
With the deadline for squad changes for the Champions Trophy set for February 12, Chakravarthy remains a strong contender for selection. However, it is unlikely that he will be included in the Champions Trophy squad without making an appearance in the ODIs. Currently, India has three finger spinners — two left-armers (Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel) and right-arm off-spinner Washington Sundar, with Kuldeep Yadav being the lone wrist spinner returning to the team after sports hernia surgery in October 2024.
A senior BCCI source revealed that the team management wants Chakravarthy to bowl in the ODI squad nets ahead of the England series, noting that Chakravarthy does not play red-ball cricket. With the domestic white-ball season concluded and no assignments until the start of the IPL at the end of March, Chakravarthy is in good rhythm, and the management wants to maintain that.