In the first T20I against Englandstar spinner Varun Chakraborty put up an exceptional performance, proving his mettle as India’s key player. He finished with impressive figures of 3/23 during his stint at four, dismantling England’s middle order in the process. Varun’s crucial wickets included those of Jos Buttler, Harry BrookAnd Liam Livingstonewho played a pivotal role in restricting England to a total of 132 runs.
His ability to bowl with precision and variation on the Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata highlighted his growing stature as a match winner in the shortest format of the game. This performance not only boosted his confidence but l has also been thrust into the spotlight for possible inclusion in major tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Dinesh Karthik backs Varun’s inclusion in Champions Trophy squad
After Varun’s brilliant performance in the T20I, the former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik strongly supported his inclusion in India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Karthik retweeted one of his previous posts from November 10, 2024, in which he had pointed out that not picking Varun for the Champions Trophy would be a “serious mistake “.
His support underlines the belief in Varun’s potential to become an exceptional bowler, as evidenced by his performance against South Africa in a previous match where he took 5 wickets for 17 runs, although the match ended in defeat for India. Karthik’s support is significant given his experience and vision of the game, especially his keen observation of Varun while playing together for Tamil Nadu.
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Kuldeep Yadav’s recovery and Varun’s potential role
Currently, Kuldeep Yadav is recovering from a groin injury he suffered during the Test series against New Zealandwhich caused him to miss the following matches. Given Kuldeep’s uncertain fitness state, this presents an opportunity for Varun to step in as a replacement for the Champions Trophy squad if Kuldeep is not fully fit.
Kuldeep, known for his unconventional left-leg spin, would have played a vital role in India’s spin attack, but with his fitness issues, Varun’s recent form and performances make him a candidate seriously to fill this void. Varun’s knack for taking wickets in crucial moments and his adaptability make him a suitable replacement, ensuring India have a powerful spin option for the tournament.
Considering these factors, Varun’s inclusion in India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy is looking more and more likely, especially with the support of the likes of Karthik and the current situation with Kuldeep’s recovery.