Follow UsKuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar - India have four spinners in their squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, starting on February 19 in Pakistan. The Men in Blue, however, will play all their games in Dubai, including the knockouts.
Before India announced the squad for the 50-over event, there were a lot of talks regarding the inclusion of in-form spinner Varun Chakravarthy. The 33-year-old has become a permanent member of India’s T20I set-up but is yet to make his ODI debut.
The team management didn’t take a risk and decided to go with spinners who have regularly been playing ODI cricket for India. But on February 4 (Wednesday), India suggested Chakravarthy is still in the scheme of things by adding him to the squad for the three-match ODI series against England.
The mystery spinner was the Player of the Series in the five-match T20I series against England, claiming 14 wickets at an average of 9.86. The English batters looked clueless against Chakravarthy’s variations, and India couldn’t resist the temptation of having him in the ODI set-up as well.
Chakravarthy has made a name for himself in the 20-over format but also has insane numbers in List A cricket. In 23 games, the spinner has 59 wickets at an average of 14.13 and an economy rate of 4.28. In the last edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he picked up 18 wickets in six games @ 12.16 and ended the competition as the second-highest wicket-taker.
“We are all talking about whether he should have been there (Champions Trophy squad). I am thinking there is a chance he might be there. I have a feeling he might make it. There is a chance because all teams have named only a provisional squad. So, he might get picked,” former India spinner R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“I have a feeling that Varun might get a chance to play in the ODI series between India and England. I don’t think it’s an easy call to take him directly to the Champions Trophy. He has not played ODIs. I have a feeling they will give him a chance in the India vs England ODI series.”
All teams are allowed to make changes to their respective squads till February 12. Jasprit Bumrah is still recovering from an injury and his participation in the event is yet to be confirmed.
India also have three spin-bowling all-rounders in their squad, and don’t be surprised if one of them goes out to make a place for Chakravarthy if he gets a chance against England and does well. What's more, we all know how much India's head coach Gautam Gambhir loves Chakravarthy.