After an impressive performance in the T20I series against England, Varun Chakravarthy could be in contention for India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad, according to former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin expressed confidence that Varun could receive a late call-up for India’s ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy.
Varun was in top form during the T20I series, claiming 14 wickets in five matches—the joint second-highest tally in T20I bilateral series history. He consistently troubled the English batters, even securing a five-wicket haul in the third T20I at Rajkot.
Ashwin shared his thoughts on the mystery spinner, stating that he had a feeling the Tamil Nadu bowler could be included in the ICC tournament. He pointed out that India had only announced a provisional squad, leaving room for potential additions.
“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,” R Ashwin said on his channel.
“But, if you look at the existing squad, if a seamer goes out and Varun comes in, it will be an added spinner (five). I don’t know who they would want to drop (if they think about getting Varun in). We will wait and see,” he added.
India’s Champions Trophy squad already features four spinners—Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja. Varun’s inclusion would make it five.
“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,” Ashwin said.
“If they don’t give him a chance here, then it’s difficult. But, nevertheless, I congratulate Varun for his first Player of the Tournament award. He is the Chakravarthy of T20I cricket at the moment. I wish he grows more and more,” he concluded.
“Suryakumar Yadav have to adjust his batting style amid poor form”- R Ashwin
Former spinner R Ashwin suggested that India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav might need to adjust his batting approach following a disappointing run in the T20I series against England. While he led the team well as captain, his performances with the bat were underwhelming, managing just 28 runs in five matches at an average of 5.60.
Ashwin noted that Suryakumar Yadav, like Sanju Samson, kept falling to the same delivery. He emphasized that Suryakumar’s real issue is his batting, not captaincy, and urged him to adjust his approach to counter it.
“The problem though, however, is Suryakumar’s batting. Of course, his captaincy has been really good in this series. His captaincy has been on point, too. But he can allow his batting some much-needed breathing space. Sanju Samson and SKY getting out to the same ball, same field, same shot, same mistake, same dismissal,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
“I can understand it happening in 1-2 games, but this is not uncanny anymore. Players should play with freedom, but our batters need to have better answers to the same question,” he added.
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