India’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, is likely to make his ODI debut in the upcoming three-match series against England, starting February 6 in Nagpur.
Added to India’s squad after his stellar T20I performances, Chakravarthy is being given a shot in the 50-over format as the team management looks to expand its spin options ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Chakravarthy was the standout performer in the recent five-match T20I series against England, claiming 14 wickets and winning the Player of the Series award. His inclusion in the ODI squad was confirmed by India’s vice-captain, Shubman Gill, and he has already been seen training with the team in Nagpur.
On February 4, he bowled for over an hour at the VCA Stadium, signaling that he could be in line for a debut in the series opener.
However, the BCCI has yet to officially announce his inclusion. The remainder of the ODI series will be played in Cuttack (February 9) and Ahmedabad (February 12).
Despite limited experience in List A cricket, Chakravarthy boasts impressive stats—59 wickets in 23 matches at a strike rate of 19.8. His outstanding run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets at an average of 12.16, further solidifies his case for selection.
India’s squad already includes four frontline spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav—making it uncertain whether Chakravarthy will find a place in the final Champions Trophy squad.
The BCCI will confirm the squad on February 12, and a strong performance against England could complicate the selectors’ decisions.
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had previously speculated that Chakravarthy could feature in the ODI series but remained skeptical about his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad, stating,“I have a feeling that Varun might get a chance to play in the ODI series against England. But I don’t think it’s an easy call to take him directly to the Champions Trophy.”
As India continues fine-tuning its squad for the global tournament, Chakravarthy’s performances in the upcoming ODIs could determine whether he cements his place in the team’s long-term plans.