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Rohit Sharma feels that Varun Chakaravarthy brings in an additional weapon to India’s bowling unit as the Men in Blue gear up for their opening game against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Varun Chakravarthy (Picture Credit: X/@BCCI)
Indian captain, Rohit Sharma believes that Varun Chakaravarthy gives the bowling unit an additional weapon that the spinner is not afraid to use when needed. His inclusion came as a massive surprise as he came in place of Yashasvi Jaiswal for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Rohit also highlighted that he had his reasons for his inclusion. In addition, he also revealed that the mystery-spinner does not show a lot of his variations even when bowling in the nets.
“He doesn’t throw many variations in the net. He throws the ball in the same way. Maybe he doesn’t even want to show us what he has (laughs). But that is a good thing. He has got a certain weapon that he wants to put out there when it actually matters,” Rohit revealed at a press conference ahead of their opening game in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“I am more than happy if he wants to do that. But he has got something different which is why he is here with us. Whatever we have seen of him in the last 8-9 months, it has been very impressive,” he added.
Chakaravarthy has re-discovered his best form with the ball which started from last year’s edition of the Indian Premier League. After finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the season, he brought that form into the international circuit where he found his second wind in the T20I format.
He then made his way up to the ODI setup where he chipped in with the opening wicket against England in the 2nd ODI held at Cuttack. Despite his inexperience in the ODI format, Rohit seems to back the mystery spinner’s inclusion in the squad.
With Kuldeep Yadav yet to hit his best form, India could indeed turn to Varun for the wicket-taking abilities as India have to make up for the loss of their star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah.
India begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh which will be followed by Pakistan and then New Zealand. The Men in Blue will play all their games in Dubai including the knockouts as well should they qualify. It remains to be seen if Varun will be considered to start in tomorrow’s game.
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
