Following a stellar performance in the India vs. England T20I series, Varun Chakaravarthy has joined the Indian cricket team in Nagpur ahead of the upcoming ODI series. England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, acknowledged the spinner’s impact, crediting him for his outstanding display throughout the series.

The pre-series training camp for the England ODIs has been underway since 2nd February, with a strong focus on preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy. For Chakaravarthy, this call-up marks another chapter in his remarkable comeback. Since returning to the national side in October last year, he has evolved into a more formidable bowler. After being dropped from the T20I squad in November 2021, Chakaravarthy 2.0 has returned stronger, with new variations and an air of mystery that had once faded.

His effectiveness was on full display in the five-match T20I series, where he consistently troubled England’s batters, particularly Harry Brook, who struggled to read him. Chakaravarthy finished the series with 14 wickets, and since his return, he has played 12 matches, taking at least two wickets in 11 of them. With his form peaking, both Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma are eager to make the most of his abilities.

According to The Times of India, Chakaravarthy has been added to Team India’s 14-man squad for the ODI series. He will be the fifth spinner in the squad, joining Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. With India set to play all their ICC Champions Trophy fixtures in Dubai, where pitches traditionally assist spinners, he could be a key weapon for the team.

Despite his struggles in Dubai during the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he went wicketless, his recent resurgence suggests he could have a much stronger impact this time. Whether he makes the final squad or is included as a reserve, Chakaravarthy remains a strong contender for the eight-team tournament.

Meanwhile, England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, reflected on the series defeat but remained optimistic about the upcoming ODIs.

“I think our guys are really good players of spin. We probably weren’t at our best against them, but credit goes to Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi as well,” McCullum said. “I know the scoreline reads 4-1, and it’s disappointing to lose the series, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’ve seen a pretty clear game plan of how we want to play, and we’re confident heading into the ODIs.”

As India gear up for the ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy, Chakaravarthy’s resurgence adds another layer of depth to their spin attack, making him a potential game-changer in the months ahead.