Synopsis
Varun Chakaravarthy has earned his first ODI selection for the series against England, following a demand from coach Gautam Gambhir. His recent T20I success positions him as a strong contender for the Champions Trophy squad.Key Takeaways
- Varun Chakaravarthy's ODI debut.
- Gautam Gambhir's influence on selection.
- Impressive T20I performance: 14 wickets.
- Potential for Champions Trophy inclusion.
- India's spinner lineup for upcoming tournaments.
New Delhi, Feb 4 (NationPress) Varun Chakaravarthy, the enigmatic Indian spinner, has been granted his first ODI call-up for the upcoming three-match series against England. This opportunity could allow the right-arm leg break bowler to showcase his skills in the 50-over format, potentially paving the way for his selection in India's final squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy set to take place in Pakistan and Dubai.
During a press conference in Nagpur on Tuesday, vice-captain Shubman Gill confirmed Chakaravarthy's inclusion in the squad. The 33-year-old spinner was seen honing his skills with India’s ODI team prior to the series, which kicks off on Thursday in Nagpur.
As reported by IANS, head coach Gautam Gambhir insisted on including the leg-spinner in the ODI lineup for the bilateral series.
Chakaravarthy's potential selection is reinforced by his exceptional performance as the 'Player of the Series' in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against England, where he emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets, including a remarkable five-wicket haul.
His knack for unsettling England’s batting order with his diverse spin tactics was pivotal in India’s 4-1 series triumph. Despite having only 23 List A (50-over) matches under his belt, Chakaravarthy boasts an impressive tally of 59 wickets at a strike rate of 19.8.
His recent performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy further bolstered his case, where he topped the charts among spinners with 18 wickets at an astonishing average of 12.16, including a standout performance of 5-9.
Currently, India's provisional Champions Trophy squad includes four spinners: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.
The tournament, which commences on February 19, will feature the top eight teams competing in 15 matches over 19 days across Pakistan and the UAE.
Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B comprises Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.
