Who will Chakravarthy replace in ODI squad [Source: AP Photo]
The inevitable has happened and wily spinner, Varun Chakravarthy has been added in the India ODI squad for the series Vs England, starting on February 6 in Nagpur. It came as a shocker since Indian team doesn't believe in making last minute changes and thus eyebrows were raised when it was reported that Chakravarthy has been training with India's Champions Trophy squad.
Now, with his inclusion, India will have 5 spinners in the team, including - Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Plus, the bowlers are carrying slight niggles and perhaps the KKR star has been added as a backup. However, there is no point of having so many bowlers in the team, and there could be a chance that Chakravarthy might replace a bowler to get his place in the playing XI. Here are 3 bowlers he can replace to earn a place in the playing XI.
3) Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is currently nursing a back injury and is at the NCA training hard for a comeback. However, he is only included for the 3rd ODI, and won't participate in the first two matches.
There are also reports that Bumrah's injury could potentially rule him out of the Champions Trophy and India wouldn't want that to happen. Hence, they are likely to give the star pacer ample rest before the ICC event and could draft Varun Chakravarthy in place of him as the mystery spinner is likely to play all three games and it will allow Bumrah to heal his injury.
2) Kuldeep Yadav
Just like Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav is also having an injury as he missed the Australia tour due to an injury he suffered in the home season. He hasn't played much since the injury and there is no guarantee that he'll be at his hundred percent when the ODIs begin.
Hence, India could look at Chakravarthy as an option to replace Kuldeep. The KKR bowler is in the form of his life and England batters cannot handle him. As a result, he could replace the Chinaman in the playing XI.
1) Axar Patel
India already have Ravindra Jadeja in the side and there is no reason to have two bowlers with similar traits in the squad. Both Axar Patel and Jadeja are left-arm spinners and have similar skillsets.
India could do well with someone different from the above mentioned names. Jadeja is India's trusted player and hence, Axar could be the one to make way for Chakravarthy who is a genuine wicket-taker and is still a mystery for the English batters.