Varun Chakravarthy's IPL 2025 Team: Team India's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has added another milestone to his career by making his ODI debut in the second match against England in Cuttack on Sunday (February 9).
After his stellar performance in the T20 International series against England, where he was named Player of the Series, this ODI call-up signals a growing role for Varun Chakravarthy in India's white-ball setup.
With ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, his inclusion in the tournament is now a strong possibility.
Late but Impactful ODI Debut
Varun Chakravarthy received his ODI cap ahead of India vs England 2nd ODI match in Cuttack, making him the 259th player to debut for India in this format. At 33 years and 164 days old, he became the second-oldest Indian cricketer to debut in ODIs, behind Farokh Engineer (36 years, 138 days).
Eyeing a Spot in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The Indian squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19, has already been announced. However, Chakravarthy's recent performances have put him in contention for a late call-up. His ability to thrive on spin-friendly pitches in Dubai makes him a valuable asset, and cricket experts believe that team management might consider adding him to India's Champions Trophy squad if he continues to impress in ODIs.
KKR's retained Match-Winner
Ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained Varun Chakravarthy for Rs 14 crore, highlighting his importance to the franchise. Last season, he was KKR's second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 21 wickets in 15 matches. With his current form, he is expected to play a key role for KKR in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
From T20 success to ODI recognition and potential Champions Trophy selection, Chakravarthy's career is on the rise.
Rohit Sharma on Varun Chakravarthy's chances for Champions Trophy
"Right now we are not thinking about whether we are going to take him or not (for Champions Trophy 2025) but definitely he will be in contention. If things plan out really well for us and he does what is required then definitely there is something that we need to think about,” Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said ahead of IND vs ENG 1st ODI in Nagpur.