Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has backed the inclusion of Varun Chakaravarthy in India’s final Champions Trophy squad. Chakravarthy replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal in India’s squad for the eight-team tournament.

The mystery spinner impressed one and all in the five T20Is against England, taking 14 wickets at an average of 9.86. Thus, Chakravarthy was awarded Player of the Series and was subsequently added to India’s ODI squad for the England series.

The 33-year-old made his ODI debut at Cuttack and returned with figures of 1-54 in his quota of 10 overs. Chakravarthy was unavailable for selection in the third ODI at Ahmedabad due to injury.

Manjrekar reckons Chakravarthy will make life difficult for a few teams in the Champions Trophy.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Varun Chakravarthy will make life difficult for a few teams. He’s just a bowler who is at the top of his game. Not too many people have played him as well. They’ve seen him in T20 cricket. When he’s playing for a strong team, you have the advantage of being in the game and just that psychological advantage.

“He has had one exposure in the UAE, playing in the T20 World Cup. I think that’s a wonderful addition and in the right department. India need wicket-taking bowlers. Harshit Rana is one and now you’ve got Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as well. The two left-arm spinners will get wickets, but mostly they are there to keep the batters quiet,” the 59-year-old added.

On the other hand, Jaiswal was left out of the Champions Trophy squad and Manjrekar highlighted that it is a matter of time before he opens the innings with Shubman Gill.

“India feeling very confident with their batting. With Rishabh Pant there and KL Rahul as a keeper-batter option, I think there’s enough quality and experience as well. For the moment, Jaiswal could just wait his chance. It won’t be long before he will be opening with somebody like Shubman Gill. That’s fine.”