The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE, with all of India’s matches scheduled to be held in Dubai. As one of the strongest teams in white-ball cricket, India will enter the tournament with high expectations. The squad, which has already been announced, features a balanced mix of experienced players and young talents. However, discussions are still ongoing about possible late inclusions, with mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy emerging as a strong contender following his stellar T20I performances.
Ravichandran Ashwin on how Varun Chakravarthy can feature in India’s squad
Though Varun was not included in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, his recent performances have ignited discussions about whether he deserves a late call-up. The mystery spinner was in sensational form during the five-match T20I series against England, where he bagged 14 wickets in five games, earning the Player of the Series award. His impact was also felt in the four-match T20I series against South Africa in November 2024, where he bagged 12 wickets and played a crucial role in India’s success.
One of India’s finest spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from international cricket, backed Varun’s chances of making it to the Champions Trophy squad. He also explained that India have named a provisional squad, which means they can still make changes, allowing Varun to be picked in the final squad.
“We are all talking about whether he should have been there (Champions Trophy squad). I am thinking there is a chance he might be there. I have a feeling he might make it. There is a chance because all teams have named only a provisional squad. So, he might get picked,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
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Challenge of accommodating Varun in the squad
While Ashwin believes Varun has a strong case for selection, he also pointed out the challenge of fitting him into the already well-balanced squad. India currently has four frontline spinners, and adding another would require dropping a pacer, which might disrupt the team’s overall composition.
“But, if you look at the existing squad, if a seamer goes out and Varun comes in, it will be an added spinner (five). I don’t know who they would want to drop (if they think about getting Varun in). We will wait and see,” Ashwin added.
With the Champions Trophy still months away, there remains a slim possibility of last-minute changes to the squad. If India re-evaluates its bowling options based on conditions in Dubai, Varun could still find himself in contention for a spot in the final 15.
