Legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expects a change in India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad which was announced last month. Ashwin wants the selectors to pick the in-form Varun Chakravarthy who claimed 14 wickets at an average of 9.86 to be included in the squad for the mega event.
"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," R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
"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," he added.
The 33-year-old Chakravarthy is yet to make his ODI debut. Ashwin feels that the Tamil Nadu spinner may get a chance in the upcoming three-ODI series against England starting February 6. The final deadline to make changes to the Champions Trophy squad is February 11.
"I have a feeling that Varun might get a chance to play in the ODI series between India and England. I don't think it's an easy call to take him directly to the Champions Trophy. He has not played ODIs. I have a feeling they will give him a chance in the India vs England ODI series," said the 38-year-old.
"If they don't give him a chance here, then it's difficult. But, nevertheless, I congratulate Varun for his first Player of the Tournament award. He is the Chakravarthy of T20I cricket at the moment. I wish he grows more and more," he concluded.
Chakravarthy's run in Vijay Hazare Trophy and List A numbers
Chakravarthy was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. He bagged 18 wickets from six games at an average of 12.72 including two five-wicket hauls. So far, he has played 23 List A games and taken 59 wickets at an average of 14.13 including four fifers. His economy rate of 4.28 runs per over is impressive as well.