By Karan Agrawal 
Varun Chakarvarthy has been rewarded for his match-winning performances against England in the recently concluded T20I series with a place in India’s ODI squad for the three-match series against the same opposition scheduled to begin from February 6 in Nagpur. Chakaravarthy won the Player of the Series award for picking 14 wickets in the 5-match T20I series which India won by a margin of 4-1. There was speculation of Chakarvarthy’s selection in the ODI squad following a string of impressive performances after making a comeback in international cricket.
The Prediction
India’s former off-spinner R Ashwin had predicted Chakarvarthy’s inclusion in the ODI squad given the fact that he has been performing well since his return to the Indian team in the T20I series against Bangladesh last year. “I have a feeling that Varun might get a chance to play in the ODI series between India and England”. Varun’s impressive record in T20I has boosted his case for a place in the squad for the Champions Trophy which according to Ashwin might be a bit early given the fact that Varun hasn’t played a single ODI. “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,” Ashwin said.
The Opportunity
“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 channel.” 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.”
The Decision
It will be interesting to see if Varun Chakarvarthy is picked in India’s Champions Trophy squad who will he replace as India has already picked four spinners in the squad. “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.