Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes it would be a “grave” mistake if Varun Chakravarthy is not included in India’s Champions Trophy squad. Despite his strong performances in T20 cricket, the 29-year-old leg-spinner has yet to make his ODI debut for Team India. In the recent T20I match against South Africa, Varun’s skilful bowling left an impact, but it was not enough for India to secure the win on Sunday.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Impressive spell against South Africa
In the second T20I at St George’s Park, Varun took five wickets, setting up what seemed to be a comfortable win for India. He dismissed important South African players, including Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, and David Miller. Varun also claimed the crucial wicket of wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen. Despite his efforts, South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee managed to resist and deny India the victory.
Earlier, in the first T20I of the series, Varun took on the job and dismissed opener Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller. He was the one who proved to be the game-changer right from the start. Coming into action in the 12th over, he took a series of crucial wickets, dismissing both Miller and Klaasen, which turned the game in India’s favour.
Karthik’s support for Varun
Dinesh Karthik, who has closely observed Varun’s progress while playing for Tamil Nadu, is confident in his abilities. Praising the spinner’s recent performance, Karthik took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his thoughts: “If India don’t pick VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY for the Champions Trophy, then they are making a grave error. Outstanding bowler he is turning out to be.”
Karthik’s endorsement adds weight to the argument that Varun could be a valuable asset in India’s Champions Trophy squad, given his talent in the shorter formats.
India loses the second T20I
The Indian men’s cricket team faced a three-wicket loss against South Africa in the second match of the four-match T20 series held at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday. This defeat levelled the series 1-1 after India, led by a century from Sanju Samson, had secured a strong 61-run win in the first match on Friday. It also ended India’s remarkable 11-match winning streak.
Batting first, India, currently the top-ranked T20I team, lost regular wickets early on and could only manage 124/6 in their 20 overs. South Africa, ranked sixth in T20Is, were put under pressure by Varun Chakravarthy’s impressive 5/17 in the middle overs. However, they reached the target in 19 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 42-run partnership between Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee for the eighth wicket.
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