Varun Chakaravarthy Added to India’s ODI Squad Against England
Author: Joy Sarcar
Updated At:
Indian mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been drafted into the national squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. The 33-year-old was seen training with the Indian team in Nagpur on Tuesday, a move that comes despite his omission from India's Champions Trophy squad, which already includes four spinners.
Chakaravarthy's call-up is a reward for his recent stellar performances in the shortest format. He was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders' title-winning campaign in IPL 2024, picking up 21 wickets. His form continued at the international level, where he tormented the English batters in the recently concluded T20I series, eventually winning the Player of the Series award. His performances have also caught the attention of fans engaged in online cricket betting in India, with many closely following his impact on matches.
Despite not making the Champions Trophy squad, his inclusion in the ODI setup has been backed by senior players like Ravichandran Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik, who have publicly vouched for his selection. Currently, India's Champions Trophy squad has only one specialist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav, alongside spin-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
Samson Sidelined with Finger Injury
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson has been ruled out for six weeks after injuring his left index finger during the final T20I against England. The wicketkeeper-batsman was in red-hot form before the series, having scored three centuries in his last five innings. However, he struggled against England, managing just 51 runs in five matches, with the short ball troubling him consistently.
Despite this setback, Samson is expected to regain full fitness ahead of IPL 2025, where he will once again lead Rajasthan Royals. His absence, however, could impact India's plans in the upcoming white-ball fixtures.
Mumbai Strengthened for Ranji Knockouts
In a boost to domestic cricket, Shivam Dube and Suryakumar Yadav have made themselves available for Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy knockout fixtures. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently emphasizing the importance of national players participating in domestic tournaments, both players have committed to representing their state side in the crucial phase of the competition.
Neither Dube nor Suryakumar are part of India’s ODI squad at the moment, making them key additions to Mumbai’s squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Haryana in Lahli. Their presence is expected to bolster Mumbai's chances as they aim for another Ranji Trophy title.
As India prepares for the ODI series against England, all eyes will be on Chakaravarthy, who has a chance to prove himself in the 50-over format. Meanwhile, Mumbai cricket fans will be thrilled by the availability of two of their star players as the domestic season reaches its business end.
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