Varun Chakaravarthy has been rewarded for his consistent performance. The mystery spinner has been included by captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir in the playing XI for the India vs Bangladesh 1st T20I. It’s been nearly 3 years since Chakaravarthy last donned the Indian jersey after a lackluster performance in the 2021 T20 World Cup, but he’s since turned things around.
Most T20Is missed between two appearances for India
104 Khaleel Ahmed (2019-24)
86 Varun Chakravarthy (2021-24)*
73 Sanju Samson (2015-20)
70 Shivam Dube (2020-23)
Gambhir effect
In the last two IPL seasons, the mystery spinner has picked up 41 wickets. Last season, with Gambhir as Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) mentor, he ended as the second-highest wicket-taker and played a pivotal part in them winning the cup. However, his inclusion has come at the cost of Ravi Bishnoi.
Unlucky Bishnoi
The leggie, who was the No. 1 T20I bowler not too long ago, has continued to be snubbed. He wasn’t taken to the T20 World Cup 2024 despite doing well in the lead-up to the mega event. He made a comeback and was part of India’s last eight T20Is against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka but has been dropped once again.
In Zimbabwe, Bishnoi was the second-most economical bowler and claimed 6 wickets (joint-third most). Against a much tougher opponent (Sri Lanka) two weeks later, the leg spinner was the highest wicket-taker in a 3-0 series victory for India.
The only thing Chakaravarthy has over him is his ‘mystery’. On spinning tracks, reading him is very difficult as he zips the ball around in both directions. But then Bishnoi can bowl well in the powerplay and the death. One has to question why Bishnoi was dropped because his performance has been exceptional and his skills easily match up as well.
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