Enigmatic spinner Varun Chakravarthy once again made headlines with a stunning bowling performance in the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Chakravarthy finished with 3-23 in his four overs and emerged as the man of the match.
After his impressive performance, he has the full support of former India and Tamil Nadu cricketer Dinesh Karthik, who feels he could have been included in India's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Varun Chakravarthy receives support from Dinesh Karthik for Champions Trophy 2025
About two months ago, Dinesh Karthik had warned the national selectors that a big mistake would be made if they did not pick Varun Chakravarthy in India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. At the time, Chakravarthy was playing in India's T20I series in South Africa.
The mystery spinner was exceptional in that series as well despite bowling in spin-unfriendly conditions. After his excellent comeback in the first T20I against England, Karthik has once again raised the question of his inclusion in India's squad for the landmark ICC tournament.
“Could they have prepared it????” Karthik posted on X (formerly Twitter) during the first T20I between India and England in Kolkata.
Can they prepare it????
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/gCDGK8AW3n
-Donkey (@DineshKarthik) January 22, 2025
Varun Chakravarthy's T20I numbers
Varun Chakravarthy has not played any ODI match yet but has excellent numbers in T20I cricket. He has played 14 T20Is and taken 22 wickets at an average of 16.63 and an economy rate of 6.71.
He made his T20I debut in 2021 and was India's first-choice spinner in the T20 World Cup 2021. However, he was suddenly dropped from the squad after his disappointing comeback in the tournament and India's early exit.
Chakravarthy was called back to the India squad in Gautam Gambhir's tenure. Since then, he has been impressive with his skills and versatility and established himself as a mainstay for India in the T20I side.
Varun Chakravarthy's excellent list of numbers
Varun Chakravarthy is yet to play an ODI but boasts an impressive record in List A cricket. He has played 23 List A matches and taken 59 wickets at an excellent average of 14.13 and an economy rate of 4.28 with a best of 5-9 which came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy which was Recently concluded.
In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Chakravarthy took 18 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 12.16 and an economy rate of 4.36 while playing for Tamil Nadu. He finished as the second highest wicket-taker of the season behind Arshdeep Singh.
Meanwhile, India won the first T20I against England on the back of excellent performances by Varun Chakravarthy and Abhishek Sharma.
While Chakravarthy dismantled England's middle order with deft bowling, Abhishek killed the chase with some aggressive batting at the top. The left-handed opener hit 79 off just 34 balls and smashed 5 fours and 8 sixes his way.
