Nagpur, Feb 4 (PTI): In a significant move, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been added to India’s ODI squad ahead of their upcoming series against England, following his impressive performance in the recently concluded T20I series. The team management is keen to maintain the rhythm of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner, who was named Player of the Series after claiming 14 wickets in five T20Is against England.
Chakravarthy, whose form has been exceptional in T20Is, was not initially part of the squad for the three-match ODI series against England or the upcoming Champions Trophy. However, his inclusion now signals that the team management is considering him as a potential replacement for one of the four specialist spinners in the Champions Trophy squad. Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar could be the candidates to make way for Chakravarthy, depending on how he performs in the ODIs.
While Chakravarthy was overlooked for the initial selection, he has been seen in the nets, bowling and preparing for the upcoming series. India’s vice-captain, Shubman Gill, confirmed his inclusion in the squad during a media interaction following the team’s training session. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later announced the decision officially, stating that the "Men's Selection Committee has added Varun Chakravarthy to India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England."
Chakravarthy's inclusion is part of a broader strategy to keep him in form ahead of the Champions Trophy. Sources indicate that head coach Gautam Gambhir wants the spinner to bowl against the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant to maintain his rhythm. With the deadline for squad changes set for February 12, Chakravarthy is considered a strong contender for the Champions Trophy, though his participation in the tournament will depend on his ODI performances.
India’s squad currently boasts three finger spinners—left-armers Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, and right-arm off-spinner Washington Sundar. Kuldeep Yadav, who is recovering from sports hernia surgery, remains the team’s sole wrist spinner. While the selectors have already named four spinners for the ODI series, the possibility of Chakravarthy’s inclusion will likely require approval from the selection committee, especially with only three ODIs before the Champions Trophy.
Chakravarthy’s form in the recent T20I series has been a key factor in his call-up. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series, with an exceptional average of 9.85. His performances on batting-friendly pitches in the T20Is have further solidified his reputation as a potent weapon, and his ability to bowl on flatter tracks will be crucial in the Champions Trophy. Notably, during the October T20I series against Bangladesh, Chakravarthy bamboozled the opposition, showcasing his skill and making him an unknown challenge for teams like New Zealand and Pakistan in the upcoming tournament.
The spinner also had a stellar domestic season, claiming 18 wickets for Tamil Nadu in the National One Day Championship. Given his form and versatility, Chakravarthy’s inclusion in the ODI squad could provide India with the edge they need in the Champions Trophy, especially with the tournament’s matches set to take place in Dubai, where conditions favor spin.
India's Updated ODI Squad for Series Against England:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill (VC)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammad Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakravarthy
