ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Varun Chakravarthy's selection confirmed, India's first-choice keeper revealed

The India National Cricket Team on Tuesday (4th February) made a surprise inclusion into the team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the England National Cricket Team. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was added to the team for three games.

Varun Chakravarthy was added to the team after his heroics in the T20I series against the England National Cricket Team. The spinner picked 14 wickets in the five-match series, which is the most by an Indian bowler in a T20I series. He also won the Player of the Series award as well.

Varun Chakravarthy was seen training with the India National Cricket Team in Nagpur ahead of the first ODI

Varun Chakravarthy was seen training with the India National Cricket Team in Nagpur ahead of the first ODI. He was seen bowling over an hour and his inclusion in the squad made many wonder if he will be picked in the team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 or not.

However, in the latest development, as per the reports in RevSportz, it is learned that Varun Chakravarthy is in contention to be added to the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. But, there is a criterion that the mystery spinner needs to fulfill.

Team management wants to see Varun Chakravarthy's fitness for the last time in 50-over cricket

The reports added that Varun Chakravarthy has been added to the team for England ODIs because team management wants to see his fitness for the last time in 50-over cricket. If everything goes well, he will be added to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad close to 11th February.

Varun Chakravarthy, ever since he made his return to the team, has looked class apart. Although he has played just T20Is, he has looked threatening with the ball. He has picked wickets in clusters and has emerged as the biggest match-winner for India, picking wickets at crucial junctures of the game.

Varun Chakravarthy is yet to make his debut for the India National Cricket Team in the ODIs. But has a decent record in List A cricket. In the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, he was the second-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets to his name for Tamil Nadu.

There were reports which suggested that Varun Chakravarthy would be making his debut for India in the ODI series against England. It will be a great opportunity for the mystery spinner to make his case strong and get a ticket to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Rishabh Pant is in the race to play in Nagpur; will be playing ahead of KL Rahul

The reports also provided an update about the Indian wicketkeeper for the first ODI against Nagpur. It is learned that Rishabh Pant is ahead in the race and will be playing ahead of KL Rahul in the first ODI against England, which will be played from 6th February in Nagpur.

Rishabh Pant replaced KL Rahul in the playing XI in the last ODI that India played against Sri Lanka. The left-hander hasn't made a big impact in 50-over cricket as expected of him, but the three games will be a great opportunity for him to make his case strong.

Break - Team management just want to check Varun Chakravarthy’s fitness for the one last time (50 over format) if everything goes well - he will be in the CT sqaud close to 11th feb

RP is ahead in race as far as WK batter is concerned to play the Nagpur odi pic.twitter.com/PeBoXE50gQ

— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) February 4, 2025

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pat Cummins ruled out, 2 superstars fighting for captaincy