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Why Rohit-Gambhir Did Not Pick Varun Chakravarthy Despite Injured Kohli Leaving An Open Spot?



Gautam Gambhir and Varun Chakaravarthy (Source:@Mr_Exo45,x.com and AP)Gautam Gambhir and Varun Chakaravarthy (Source:@Mr_Exo45,x.com and AP)

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India are mere minutes away with the first ODI kicking off and a major news has taken the centre stage. Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the first ODI match against England due to right-knee injury thereby vacating a spot. Due to this injury, stylish right-hander missed his second ODI match in 17 years. However, as Rohit Sharma announced Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana will be making their ODI debut. 

But, one star did miss out on the opportunity i.e. Varun Chakravarthy, making everyone wonder: Why Did He Not Make A Cut?

Looking at the team's playing XI, India opted to go with a heavy batting line-up thereby bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal was a thoughtful decision as he will opening alongside captain Rohit. Whereas it is expected Shubman Gill will be batting at No. 3 in place of injured Virat Kohli. Followed by Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.

Rohit and Gautam Gambhir decided to bring in Axar and Jadeja simply because the two can add to the team with their all-round skills. The decision to go with one specialist spinner aka Kuldeep Yadav alongside pacers Mohd Shami and Harshit Rana also highlights that they have rewarded Kuldeep with his past performances. Since, they only felt the necessity for one pure spinner, Varun Chakravarthy missed out on this one.

Earlier, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who finished as the highest wicket-taker in the series against England, was added to India's ODI squad. Varun's 14 wickets in the five games came at an average of a meagre 9.85, and the star bowler was seen marking his run-up as well.

India Playing XI: 

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (vc), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami