R Ashwin Predicts Varun Chakaravarthy's Return for Champions Trophy 2025
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket, has made a big claim. According to Ashwin, Varun Chakaravarthy can join India's squad for the mega tournament ICC Champions Trophy 2025 starting February 19. India has announced its provisional 15-member squad for the tournament. Chakaravarthy's name is not in that squad. However, Ashwin feels that due to Varun's brilliant performance in T20I cricket, he can get a place in the team.
The mystery spinner's first stint with the Indian team in the 2021 T20I World Cup was disappointing. As a result, he was out of the team for three years and made an impressive comeback in the home series against Bangladesh in 2024. Since his return, he has taken 31 wickets in 12 matches. He also played a key role in the recently concluded five-match T20 series win against England. He became the Player of the Series for taking 14 wickets in five matches.
Ashwin believes that India can change their final 15-member squad before the February 12 deadline and include Chakravarthy. India have picked four spinners in their team: Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.
On his YouTube channel, Ashwin said,
"We all have been talking about whether he should have been in the Champions Trophy squad. I think they're likely to be there. I think he can get involved. Likely because all teams have named only one provisional team. Therefore, they can be chosen. "
He further said,
"But if you look at the current team, if a fast bowler goes out and Varun comes into the team, it will be an extra spinner. I don't know who they would like to exclude. We'll wait and see. "