IPL 2023: Varun Chakravarthy can compete with Chahal, Kuldeep for spot in India's World Cup squad, says Sehwag

IPL 2023: Former India opener Virender Sehwag has opined that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy can very likely compete alongside Yuzevndra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav for a place in India's 2023 World Cup squad if he puts up a great show in the IPL 2023 season.

The statement from Sehwag comes after the leg-spinner picked four wickets including that of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. He gave away just 15 runs on 3.4 overs as KKR won by 81 runs.

IPLs have decided the team for major ICC events in the past and it would be no surprise if a few players bring themselves in contention following the sixteenth edition of the cash-rich league. The ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held in India in October-November this year.

"Varun Chakravarthy doesn't have the ball that goes away like a proper wrist spinner. He relies on topspin and googlies predominantly and the RCB batters didn't play him well, getting played-on a couple of times.

"Who knows, a great season here could make him a contender for the 2023 World Cup in India," he said moments after KKR's win against RCB in Kolkata where Varun picked four wickets for just 15 runs in four overs," Sehwag told on Cricbuzz.

The 31-year-old made his T20I debut in July 2021 and went on to play the T20 World Cup 2021 for India later that year. However, he hasn't got a chance to play another match for India since then.

Chakravarthy's form took a dip and fitness remained an issue. He is yet to play an ODI match for India. Despite all the odds, like Sehwag has reckoned, Chakravarthy can push his case in front of the selectors by having another breakthrough IPL 2023 season.