Champions Trophy 2025: Varun Chakravarthy set to be a Major miss for India?

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A familiar venue and a familiar sight - that's all comes to mind when describing Varun Chakravarthy's fantastic outing against England at the Eden Gardens.

The India spinner completely dismantled the English middle-order with his magical bowling, thus picking up 3 wickets in the process. India, who has taken a 1-0 lead in the series with the win by 7 wickets, saw Varun bestowed with MOTM award.

But amid the joyous outing in Kolkata, an Indian fan's mind may hover around the thoughts of having Varun in the India squad for the Champions Trophy. The Indian cricket team boasts a legacy of world-class spinners, but the omission of Varun Chakravarthy from the Champions Trophy squad feels like a glaring oversight.

With his recent scintillating performances, both at the international level and in domestic cricket, Varun Chakravarthy had more than made a case for his inclusion.

Varun Chakravarthy's performances for India in recent times have been nothing short of spectacular. His uncanny ability to outfox batters with his deceptive variations has made him a standout performer. Whether it's his sharp googlies, carrom balls, or sliders, Chakravarthy has consistently delivered under pressure. In the white-ball formats, his economical spells and timely breakthroughs have proven invaluable. The KKR spinner was superb in the Bangladesh and South Africa T20I series - where he picked up 5 and 12 wickets respectively.

Adding to his international exploits is his phenomenal run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Representing Tamil Nadu, Chakravarthy scalped 18 wickets in just six matches.

What sets Varun Chakravarthy apart is his ability to bamboozle batsmen with his "mystery" deliveries. In an era where video analysis has reduced the element of surprise, bowlers like Chakravarthy bring unpredictability back into the game. His unique bowling style, coupled with a cool temperament, has troubled even the most seasoned batters.

On pitches that tend to offer grip and turn, especially in UAE conditions, Chakravarthy's bowling could have been a lethal weapon. India's Champions Trophy squad, though talented, lacks a spinner of Chakravarthy's unique skill set. While the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav bring their own strengths, neither possesses the same aura of mystery that Chakravarthy brings to the table. In tournaments where fine margins often separate the winners from the rest, the inclusion of a wildcard like Chakravarthy could have been the masterstroke India needed.

Varun was tipped to be in the consideration for a place in the team. And if domestic cricket is regarded as the yardstick, the Tamil Nadu spinner should have been part of the 50-over squad. Apart from Jadeja and Kuldeep - India have selected Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as the spin options.

As India prepares to compete in the Champions Trophy, the absence of a bowler like Chakravarthy might just be the difference between a good tournament run and a championship triumph. Although Varun has never played an ODI for India, his lethal form and excellent bowling skills warranted an opportunity at the grand stage.