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Chakaravarthy Over Kuldeep In Champions Trophy? India Have 3 Reasons To Make Bold Move

Abhinav Tyagi∙ Updated: Jan 9 2025, 5:50 PM

Varun and Kuldeep Yadav- (Source:@Johns/X.com)Varun and Kuldeep Yadav- (Source:@Johns/X.com)

January 12 is touted to be the deadline for all eight teams to submit their 15-member squad for Champions Trophy 2025. So far, only England have announced their team. Eyes are on India as several spots are still up for grabs, and there is room for surprise picks. 

India have a long list of injuries such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Kuldeep Yadav, who are racing against time to get fit in time for Champions Trophy 2025. Shedding light on Kuldeep, who is the front-runner to lead the spin attack, is facing competition from Varun Chakaravarthy. 

Meanwhile, this article will shed light on three reasons why India should try Varun Chakaravarthy over Kuldeep Yadav in Champions Trophy 2025.

1. Recent Form

Recency is a bias, and every side abides by it. Be it Australia or any other team, they tend to go for the player, which is in form when an ICC event is nearby. Talking about recent form, then Varun Chakaravarthy is breathing fire in domestic cricket. 

It is worth noting that Chakaravarthy had a brilliant IPL 2024 that earned him his India return and he also shone against Bangladesh and South Africa. Similarly, he also proved his mettle in the fifty-over format as seen in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Varun has 19 wickets in six innings, which includes two five-wicket haul. He also performed under pressure and took a fifer against Rajasthan in knock-outs of Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is the leading wicket taker in this season and his numbers are too good to be ignored for India selection. 

2.Match Fitness

As mentioned earlier, Kuldeep is struggling with injury. He suffered a groin injury after first Test against New Zealand and also underwent a surgery in Germany. Yadav is currently rehabiliting at the NCA, but hasn't played a ODI since 2023 World Cup final. 

At present, there is no update on Yadav's injury and since he hasn't even played a domestic game, there are doubts over his match readiness. Thus, India would be more inclined to pick Varun over Kuldeep to not further risk his injury. 

3. More Tricks In The Bag

India will play their Champions Trophy 2025 matches at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Since Dubai is known to help the batters, there is a minimal assistance for the spinners as well. Thus, the player with more variations will get an upper hand. 

Kuldeep is a great wrist spinners and confuse the batters with his wrong ones to rattle their stumps. Meanwhile, Varun is no less as he is also touted as the mystery spinners for his ability to bowl off-spin, carrom ball, back of the hand wrong ones and also top-spins. Thus, it would be unfair to sideline a player with such skill and variations.