Yuzvendra Chahal Is Stagnating; Chance For India To Look At Varun Chakravarthy In Sri Lanka: Laxman Sivaramakrishnan

Former Indian cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has urged India to look at a backup for Yuzvendra Chahal in white-ball cricket. While Yuzvendra Chahal has done decently in his recent outings, he has lacked the required consistency and the magic of before. With India having plenty of options to choose from in their upcoming series in Sri Lanka, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan believes India could use this opportunity to look at Varun Chakravarthy.

Varun Chakravarthy has struggled with injuries and fitness issues, having earned his maiden call-up during the tour of Australia last year. The Kolkata Knight Riders leg-spinner impressed in IPL 2020, taking 17 wickets in 13 matches, maintaining a brilliant economy rate of 6.85. Varun was also the solitary bowler with a five-wicket haul in the UAE last year, taken against the Delhi Capitals.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan talked about Varun Chakravarthy being in the T20 World Cup squad as Yuzvendra Chahal has been inconsistent. The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that Kuldeep Yadav has been out of the side too and is an irregular fixture in KKR. Hence, they have to look at other options. Sivaramakrishnan underlined that if Varun gets a few chances and thrives in it, he would develop the required confidence.

“There is a possibility (of Varun being in the T20 World Cup India squad) because we’ve seen that over the years, Yuzvendra Chahal has not been very successful. Kuldeep has been out of the side, doesn’t even play for KKR. So what you have to look for is unknown commodities. When you are playing Sri Lanka, the world will be watching. If somebody is good and totally different from other conventional bowlers, like Varun Chakravarthy, all he needs to do it play a few games, develops confidence,” Sivaramakrishnan said as quoted by News18.com.

He should maintain his fitness and pick up confidence from this tour: Laxman Sivaramakrishnan

But Laxman Sivaramakrishnan remains aware of Varun Chakravarthy’s problems with fitness and injuries, stating that he needs to be at his best in Sri Lanka. Thus, the 55-year old believes a good show could put him on the radar for the T20 World Cup as Yuzvendra Chahal’s stagnation makes sense for India to look at other candidates.

“He has had a problem with injuries, he should maintain his fitness and pick up confidence from this tour. If he does that, he should be one of the candidates the team should look for. Because change is the only constant. When a person stagnates, when one of your main bowler like Chahal stagnates, you should look at other options,” he added.

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