Varun Chakravarthy Joins India ODI Camp in Nagpur Ahead of 1st England Game, Fuels Champions Trophy Rumours

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was seen training with the Indian ODI team on Tuesday, February 4. The Kolkata Knight Riders spinner was seen bowling in the nets as the Indian team began preparations for the three-match series against England, which begins on February 6, under captain Rohit Sharma. The training session was held in the afternoon at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

The Indian team, senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having returned to Nagpur on Monday after the conclusion of the T20I series held in Mumbai, were seen on the airport visuals with their baggages, with Varun Chakravarthy evidently absent.

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However, on Tuesday, clad in India's training attire and bowling to Indian batters during a practice session, Varun was duly captured in photos posted by sports journalist Sandipan Banerjee.

Varun's inclusion in training comes a day after former Indian spinner R Ashwin hinted at Varun's possible inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad. India have named four spinners in the 15-man squad, and it would be interesting to see whether they will accommodate Varun, if selected.

Varun had a stunning series throughout the recently concluded T20I series, which India won 4-1. He was named Player of the Series after taking 14 wickets, including one five-wicket haul, in 5 matches. England batters found Varun to be unplayable in the middle, hardly able to read his variations.

"I have a feeling that Varun might get a chance to play in the ODi series between India and England. I don't think it's an easy call to take him directly to the Champions Trophy. He has not played ODIs. I have a feeling they will give him a chance in the India vs England ODI series," Ashwin said in his YouTube show.

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"If they don't give him a chance here, then it's difficult. But, nevertheless, I congratulate Varun for his first player of the tournament award. He is the Chakravarthy of T20I cricket at the moment. I wish he grows more and more," he added.

The team management has backed Varun to the hilt, chief coach Gautam Gambhir in particular. The KKR spinner was picked into the T20I side after a break of three years since Gambhir's elevation to chief coach.

Varun has been India's top T20I match-winner since his return, having taken 31 wickets in 12 games.

Varun had an outstanding tournament with the Tamil Nadu in Vijay Hazare, having taken 18 wickets across six matches. He took two five-wicket hauls against Rajasthan and Mizoram.

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