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India began their five-match T20I series against England with a convincing seven-wicket victory at Eden Gardens. While Abhishek Sharma stole the spotlight with a blistering 79 off 34 balls, it was Varun Chakaravarthy’s magical spell that set the tone for the win. The spinner registered a three-wicket haul, leaving England’s batters clueless.
However, the joy of his brilliant performance was marred by his omission from India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad, a decision that has left fans and cricket pundits baffled. Here’s why excluding Chakaravarthy is a major blunder.
Table of content
1. Exceptional Form
Varun Chakaravarthy’s current form has been nothing short of sensational. Since his return to the Indian team under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure, the mystery spinner has proven his mettle time and again.
In the past year:
- Against South Africa, he bagged a five-wicket haul, dismantling their batting order.
- He outfoxed Bangladesh’s batters in the T20I series, showcasing his mastery over variations.
- In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Chakaravarthy ended as the joint-leading wicket-taker, proving his value in the 50-over format.
With the Champions Trophy being held on the spin-friendly pitches of Dubai, his exclusion appears even more perplexing.
2. Unmatched Variations
Both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are classified as “mystery spinners,” but their approaches differ significantly.
- Kuldeep Yadav relies heavily on his leg spin and occasionally uses the wrong’un to deceive batters.
- Varun Chakaravarthy, on the other hand, constantly keeps batters guessing with a mix of deliveries. His ability to bowl three variations within an over—some turning into the batter and others turning away—makes him an unpredictable force.
This relentless unpredictability has made him one of India’s most effective T20 bowlers and a weapon tailor-made for pressure tournaments like the Champions Trophy.
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3. Match Readiness vs. Fitness Concerns
The decision to include Kuldeep Yadav over Chakaravarthy isn’t necessarily wrong, as Kuldeep is an incredible talent. However, Kuldeep is yet to regain full match fitness.
- He recently underwent groin surgery and has only just resumed net practice.
- The selectors have taken a gamble on his fitness, as Kuldeep has not played a competitive match since his operation.
Meanwhile, Varun Chakaravarthy has consistently performed across formats and is fully match-ready. Opting for an untested Kuldeep while leaving out an in-form, ready-to-go Varun is a risk that India might regret.
Excluding Varun Chakaravarthy from the Champions Trophy 2025 squad could prove to be a strategic misstep. His current form, unique variations, and readiness for competitive cricket make him a prime candidate for success in Dubai’s spin-friendly conditions.
While Kuldeep Yadav is undoubtedly a world-class spinner, the uncertainty around his fitness adds an element of risk that India might struggle to mitigate if things don’t go according to plan. Only time will tell whether this decision pays off, but for now, leaving Varun out feels like a missed opportunity.
