Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Varun Chakravarthy’s selection for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Chakravarthy was able to get back into the Indian team after an impressive show in IPL 2024. The 33-year-old last played for India in the T20 World Cup 2021 against Scotland.
The mystery spinner scalped 21 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 19.14 and an economy rate of 8.04 and ended as the second-highest wicket-taker of the season. Ergo, he played an instrumental role in taking Kolkata Knight Riders to glory in the previous edition.
Chopra said the team management has picked Varun Chakaravarthy to play him in the final XI.
“It’s a very simple thing. Why have you got someone into the team after three years? You have brought him back to play him. So play him as you want to play him. A slight problem will be in whose place would you play him because there is a pecking order,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra said Ravi Bishnoi, who has been a regular in T20Is for India, is ahead of Chakravarthy in the pecking order.
“Ravi Bishnoi has been your regular T20 bowler for a very long time. You didn’t take him for the World Cup but Ravi Bishnoi has been slightly ahead on that list. You will be able to play Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar and Varun Chakaravarthy if you drop a fast bowler,” Chopra observed.
The renowned commentator added that one of the spinners will be left out if India decides to play with three seamers.
“If you play three fast bowlers, where Mayank (Yadav), Harshit (Rana) and Arshdeep (Singh) play, you won’t be able to play three spinners. Then you will have to leave one of them out. I know it is going to be difficult,” he said.
The former Delhi player said he won’t surprised if Chakravarthy gets his chance in the playing XI but he wants the think tank to back Ravi Bishnoi.
“Ravi Bishnoi is ahead on my list but I won’t be surprised if Washington Sundar also plays, and Varun Chakaravarthy plays along with them for the simple reason that he has recently won the trophy for KKR and is making a comeback after three years,” he said in the same video.
“The coach has also seen him very closely while doing well for KKR. I won’t be surprised if Varun Chakaravarthy plays once again but I would play Ravi Bishnoi ahead of him,” Chopra added.
The opening T20I between India and Bangladesh will be played in Gwalior on Sunday
