Mystery player Varun Chakravarthy once again grabbed the headlines with an amazing bowling performance in the first T20I against England at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Chakravarthy finished with 3-23 in four overs and was named man of the match.
After his brilliant performance, he received the full support of former India and Tamil Nadu cricketer Dinesh Karthik, who feels that he should have been included in the Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Varun Chakravarthy gets support from Dinesh Karthik for Champions Trophy 2025.
About two months ago, Dinesh Karthik warned the national selectors of a huge mistake 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 mysterious sinker was outstanding in that series as well despite bowling in unfavorable spin conditions. After his excellent returns in the first T20I against England, Karthik has once again raised the question of his inclusion in the Indian squad for the main ICC tournament.
“Could they have accommodated him ????” Karthik posted on X (formerly Twitter) during the first T20I between India and England in Kolkata.
Could they accommodate him????
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/gCDGK8AW3n
— DK (@DineshKarthik) January 22, 2025
Varun Chakravarthy’s T20I numbers
Varun Chakravarthy has not played a single ODI so far but has excellent numbers in T20I cricket. He played 14 T20Is and picked up 22 wickets at an average of 16.63 and an economy rate of 6.71.
He made his T20I debut back in 2021 and was India’s first choice in the T20 World Cup 2021. However, he was suddenly dropped from the team after disappointing returns in the tournament and India’s early exit.
Chakravarthy was called back to the Indian team during Gautam Gambhir’s tenure. Since then, he has been brilliant with his skills and variations and has established himself as the mainstay of India’s T20I side.
Varun Chakravarthy’s excellent A list numbers
Varun Chakravarthy is yet to play an ODI but boasts an outstanding record in List A cricket. He has played 23 List A matches and picked up 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 recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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 thanks to excellent performances from Varun Chakravarthy and Abhishek Sharma.
While Chakravarthy dismantled the English middle order with his skilful bowling, Abhishek ended the chase with a belligerent top-order knock. The left-hander hit 79 off just 34 balls and smashed 5 fours and 8 sixes on his way.
