 "Champions Trophy 2025: 'He might get picked', R Ashwin hopes to see Varun Chakravarthy in India's squad")
Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin wants to see spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the Team India squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy that starts from 19 February. Varun impressed with the ball in India’s recent 4-1 T20I series triumph over England , picking 14 wickets from five matches. While Varun has picked up 33 wickets from 18 matches, he is yet to play an ODI for India.
Ashwin, however, feels that Varun could get picked in India's Champions Trophy squad but admits the Indian team management could be spoilt for choice. All eight teams have time till 12 February to make changes to their provisional squad for the Champions Trophy.
‘He might get picked’: Ashwin on Varun’s possible inclusion for Champions Trophy
“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," Ashwin said during a show on his YouTube channel.
Varun had also picked 12 wickets from four T20Is against South Africa last year .
“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," added Ashwin, who retired from international cricket after the Brisbane Test against Australia in December last year.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer feels that Varun could make his ODI debut in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England at home. “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,” he said.
Chakravarthy is not part of India’s ODI squad to face England, but could be added based on his recent impressive displays. “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 Chakaravarthy of T20I cricket at the moment. I wish he grows more and more," he commented.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts‘Same shot, same mistake…’: Ashwin on Samson, SKY’s dismissals
India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson endured forgettable outings in the T20I series against England. While SKY aggregated just 28 runs from five matches, Samson scored 51 runs from five matches. Ashwin noted the fact that the duo got out playing similar shots while facing similar deliveries. Ashwin even gave a Rajnikanth movie reference to back his point.
“There is a Tamil film called Thillu Millu, where Rajinikanth plays two different people, one with a moustache and one without a moustache. That is how it feels watching Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav,” he said on his Hindi YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.
“Same ball, same field, same shot, same mistake, same dismissal. I can understand it happening in one or two games, but this is surprising. When you know a tactic is being used against you, it becomes your responsibility to find a new answer. It is very surprising from both players,” he stated.
While Samson was often dismissed to short balls during the England series, SKY has got out while playing his scoop shots. “Surya is a very experienced guy. He was part of the change of guard for Indian cricket in batting. But I think it’s high time he changes his approach a little,” felt Ashwin. “For Samson, the mind will be playing tricks. If there are many questions in your head, it gets difficult,” suggested Ashwin.
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