Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Varun Chakaravarthy, who was a late addition to the Indian ODI team for the series against England, is likely to secure a place in the playing eleven immediately. The 34-year-old spinner recently delivered an outstanding performance in a five-match T20I series, where he took 14 wickets and earned the title of Player of the Series. Despite the presence of four spinners already in the squad, Chakaravarthy was included in India's ODI lineup just days before the first match. This opportunity is seen as a potential audition for him to gain a spot in the Champions Trophy squad.

Chopra, who has consistently commended Chakaravarthy since his return to international cricket, remarked that the inclusion of an additional wrist spinner could prove more advantageous than relying solely on finger spinners.

"This is significant because Varun Chakaravarthy was part of my initial selection. I believe he should be included, as having too many finger spinners may not be necessary, and wrist spinners could have a more substantial impact. However, the selectors did not choose him," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.

Chakravarthy was observed training and bowling in the nets on Tuesday. With the deadline for squad modifications for the Champions Trophy approaching on February 12, the team management is closely monitoring his performance to determine his suitability for the prestigious ICC event.

‘You cannot make him warm the bench’

Chopra emphasized that the late selection of Chakaravarthy for the ODI team indicated his likely inclusion as a starter in the upcoming first ODI in Nagpur.

"By selecting Varun Chakaravarthy at this stage, it is clear that you intend to leverage his current exceptional form, which I believe is a prudent decision. Therefore, it is imperative that he takes the field; he cannot be left on the sidelines. You do not summon someone merely for refreshments. Now that he is here, he must play," Chopra remarked.

The 34-year-old has demonstrated significant potential, consistently performing well on batting-friendly pitches during the recent T20I series against England, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with an impressive average of 9.85. Additionally, he secured 18 wickets for Tamil Nadu in the National One Day Championship, strengthening his case for an ODI debut.

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