India has added spinner Varun Chakravarthy to the ODI squad for the three-match series against England after his impressive T20I performance. He was India’s highest wicket-taker in their 4-1 T20I series win, claiming 14 wickets at an average of 9.86 and an economy rate of 7.66.
Varun, who is yet to make his ODI debut, traveled with the team to Nagpur and trained ahead of the series opener on February 6. This is his first inclusion in the ODI squad, adding depth to a spin attack that already features Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar. He has limited List A experience, with just 23 matches, but was the second-highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season, taking 18 wickets in six games for Tamil Nadu.
Although the BCCI has not officially announced Varun’s inclusion, his selection is crucial as these ODIs serve as India’s only 50-over games before the Champions Trophy. Key bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah are returning from injuries, making these matches vital for finalizing India’s bowling attack. Bumrah is included only for the third ODI, while Harshit Rana is in the squad for the first two games.
India will face England in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad on February 6, 9, and 12. They can modify their Champions Trophy squad until February 11 without ICC approval.
India ODI Squad vs England
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana (first two ODIs), Jasprit Bumrah (third ODI), Varun Chakravarthy.
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