Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believes it would be a serious mistake not to pick Varun Chakravarty in India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 despite the mystery spinner yet to make his ODI debut.
Varun Chakraborty has consistently impressed everyone with his spin, but he is yet to play an ODI match for India. The 29-year-old spinner once again showcased his talent in the second T20I against South Africa at St Georges Park where he took five wickets and almost put India in a winning position.
Dinesh Karthik urges India to pick Varun Chakravarthy for Champions Trophy 2025
He was instrumental in dismantling South Africa’s batting line-up, finishing with 5 for key players like Reeza Hendricks (24), Aiden Markram (3), Marco Jansen (7), Heinrich Klaasen (2) and David Miller (0). -Close run in the second T20I at St George’s Oval in Qgeberha.
His spell rocked South Africa and for a moment India looked in control, but Tristan Stubbs (47*) and Gerald Coetzee (19*) denied India victory and saw the hosts over the line by three wickets in 19 overs. hand to level the ongoing four-match T20I series on Sunday, November 10.
Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik, who closely watched Varun Chakravarthy’s growth during his time playing for Tamil Nadu, praised the Indian spinner’s remarkable skill and impact on the game.
The Outstanding Bowler happens to be: Dinesh Karthik
Karthik also urged the national selectors to consider Varu’s unique talent as a valuable asset for the 2025 Champions Trophy given his potential to make a difference at key moments.
Karthik wrote on X: “If India don’t pick VARUN CHAKRAVARTHI for the Champions Trophy, then they are making a serious mistake. He becomes an outstanding bowler.”
If India don’t select VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY for the Champions Trophy, then they are making a serious mistake.
An outstanding bowler he becomes #INDvSA #CricketTwitter #cricket
— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 10, 2024
Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy produced an exceptional performance in the second T20I against South Africa, recording figures of 5/17, the best bowling figures in T20I cricket for a player from a full-member nation due to defeat. Despite his brilliant spell, India failed to clinch victory, but Varu’s performance stood out as one of the highlights of the second T20I.
Varun, who will make his T20I debut in 2021, initially struggled to cement his place in the Indian cricket team, but found a new spark after returning to the national team for the T20I series against Bangladesh earlier this year in October. He claimed five wickets in three T20Is against Bangladesh.
His form from the Bangladesh T20I series against India has carried over to the ongoing four-match T20I series in South Africa, where he has been impressive with the ball so far. In the first T20I against South Africa in Durban, Chakraborty took three wickets and his five-wicket haul in the second game further cemented his role as one of India’s key spinners in T20Is.
