India’s mysterious spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, is anticipated to make his Odi debut in the first ODIO against England on Thursday. Initially, he was not in the squad. Post his five-match T20I series against England, he was seen impressing the selectors. Taking home the Player of The Series award after scalping 14 wickets in five matches, India won the series 4-1 last week. Chakravarthy troubled the Indian batters by bowling well in his practice match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium the day before the first ODI in Nagpur.
In a viral video, Chakravarthy clean-bowled young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, also in contention to make his ODI debut today.
India has three finger spinners now: Two left-armers (Jadeja and Axar Patel) and one right-arm off-spinner (Sundar). Kuldeep Yadav, returning to the Indian team after having sports hernia surgery, is the only wrist spinner in the squad.
On Wednesday, captain Rohit when queried on whether the team management considers Chakravarthy for the Champions Trophy: “At this moment I am not thinking about Chakravarthy in the Champions Trophy squad, but he is definitely in contention.”
“We’re not currently thinking about whether we’re going to take him or not, but definitely, he will be in contention. If things pan out really well for us and he does what is required, then definitely there is something to think about,” he continued.
But when India captain was reminded about who all come in the picture as replacement for a fast-bowling all-rounder in case Hardik Pandya is injured like he was in the 2023 World Cup: “Why be so negative,” was the rejoinder by Rohit. “Let us be a little bit more positive.”
