No matter what series Team India is gearing to play, there is always a debate that starts right after the selection committee names the squad. It is no different for the IND vs BAN T20I series, that starts on October 6, where mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was picked over the experienced Yuzvendra Chahal.
This non-selection has not only raised eyebrows but also put a question of Chahal’s future in Team India. Look, Varun might be good, but technically, Chahal hasn’t done much wrong to not make it to the team. What one also needs to keep in account is, that apart from Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi has also made it to the squad, that is more alarming.
Varun Chakravarthy vs Yuzvendra Chahal
So, just looking at the numbers purely, Chakravarthy did slightly better than Chahal in IPL 2024. The former secured 21 wickets in 15 matches for KKR, while the veteran also was decent with 19 wickets in as many encounters. The only distinguishing factor between the two was their economy rates, where KKR spinner was better at 8.04 runs per over.
Gautam Gambhir & KKR Factor?
There isn’t much to differentiate between the two wrist spinners, when it comes to recent performances. Varun was excellent during the TNPL in August where he grabbed 12 wickets in 10 matches, at an economy of 6.61. On the other hand, Chahal proved his worth in the County Championships, where he bagged back-to-back fifers for Northamptonshire.
Perhaps, what would have made the difference is, the presence of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of Team India, who was the mentor of KKR this year, and spent sizeable amount of time with Chakravarthy.
