India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy has been under scrutiny recently, with players’ performances in the just-concluded T20I series against England sparking discussions about potential changes. While the Indian team has already selected four spinners for the prestigious ICC event, veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced his opinion, suggesting that mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy should be included in the squad. Chakravarthy’s exceptional performance against England, where he claimed 14 wickets in five matches and was named the player of the series, has raised hopes of his inclusion in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
Despite not yet making his ODI debut for India, Chakravarthy has demonstrated his skill in T20 internationals, and Ravichandran Ashwin believes that if the spinner continues his impressive form in the 50-over format, there may be room for him in the Champions Trophy squad. The veteran off-spinner, in a candid message, emphasized that while the current squad is provisional, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, could consider making adjustments to accommodate Chakravarthy’s inclusion.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his thoughts on the matter, saying, “We are all talking about whether he should have been there (in the Champions Trophy squad), and I have a feeling there is a chance he might make it. There is a chance because all teams have named only a provisional squad. So, he might get picked.” This statement indicates that there is still room for changes in the squad, which will be finalized by February 11.
The inclusion of Chakravarthy, however, raises questions about which player could potentially be dropped from the squad. Ravichandran Ashwin speculated that if Chakravarthy were to be selected, it might result in a seamer being left out, which would allow the team to accommodate an additional spinner. Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that the decision would not be an easy one for captain Rohit Sharma and the selection committee, as the squad already includes a balanced mix of players.
Ravichandran Ashwin further elaborated that he believed Chakravarthy would likely get a chance to showcase his skills in the upcoming ODI series between India and England before being considered for the Champions Trophy. “If he impresses in the ODI series, he could be considered for the Champions Trophy,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. However, he also acknowledged that giving Chakravarthy a spot in the Champions Trophy without any ODI experience would be a tough call.
While Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that it would be difficult for Chakravarthy to be directly included in the Champions Trophy squad without prior ODI experience, he congratulated the spinner for his impressive achievement in T20 cricket, where he has been dubbed the “Chakravarthy of T20I cricket.” Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his hope that Chakravarthy would continue to grow and perform at the highest level.
The debate over Varun Chakravarthy’s inclusion in India’s Champions Trophy squad highlights the ongoing discussions within Indian cricket about squad selection and balancing team composition for major tournaments. With the Champions Trophy just around the corner, the final squad announcement will be eagerly awaited, and the possibility of changes in the squad could alter India’s chances in the prestigious tournament. As the team prepares for the upcoming ODI series against England, all eyes will be on how Chakravarthy performs and whether he can secure a spot in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy.
