India Debut At 30, Comeback At 33; Spinner Architects Return To National Team For Bangladesh T20Is
One of the leading wicket-takers in IPL 2024 might have been ignored for a place in the Indian side for Zimbabwe series but finds his name in the Indian team for the Bangladesh T20Is.
The India squad for the Bangladesh T20I series was announced on September 28 (Saturday). Among the name that captured the attention of the most was that of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star, architect-turned-cricketer Varun Chakarvarthy. It is pertinent to note that the mystery spinner has played for the national team before and even played the T20 World Cup 2021. However, he was out of the scheme of things as far as national selection is concerned after that tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Chakravarthy, however, has returned to Team India on the back of an impressive performance in IPL 2024. He played a key part in their victorious campaign and as it turns out, he has done just about enough to come to the notice of the national selectors. Varun did express his disappointment after not being picked for the Zimbabwe T20Is immediately after the T20 World Cup 2024 through an Instagram post but would now be happy with what promises to be an exciting opportunity.
I Wish I Had A PR Agency: Chakravarthy
Notably, the 33-year-old had taken a dig at the senior national men's team selectors by posting a status after he was ignored for a place in the national team. The spinner with 21 wickets to his name in IPL 2024 wrote in his Instagram story: "I wish I had paid a PR agency."
Instagram story of Varun Chakravarthy. pic.twitter.com/GHGLl6svhB
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 24, 2024
However, it now seems like that the selectors have decided to give him a go. It could well have a link with Gautam Gambhir who was the mentor of the IPL-winning KKR team and is now the head coach of Team India.
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India Squad For Bangladesh T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav.