Speculations are rife as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) mulls over the best squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE. A lot has been said about the spin bowling unit for the Indian team, with the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy in the running. It has been reported that Chakravarthy is one of the top candidates to be picked while there are major doubts over Ravindra Jadeja's place in the team.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that if Chakravarthy, who has performed very well in white-ball cricket of late, is picked, Jadeja will definitely 'go out'.
“Varun Chakaravarthy has been picking up one wicket after another. He has also done well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He picked up a five-wicket haul against Rajasthan and has been consistently doing well. Since returning to the Indian T20I team, he has picked up wickets every time,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“The market for rumors is hot, the Indian cricket atmosphere has become like this as we are getting a lot of source-based news and a few of them are coming true: that Varun Chakaravarthy could be picked for the Champions Trophy. If he is picked, who will go out – Ravindra Jadeja That is what I heard,” Chopra added.
Kuldeep Yadav's fitness issues have left his selection in doubt. According to reports, Chakravarthy could be the man to lead the spin bowling unit for the selection committee, while Axar Patel could just pipe Jadeja for the second spinner spot in the team. Kuldeep, Jadeja and Bishnoi will battle for the third spot.
“I hope I hadn't heard that, but chances are that Ravindra Jadeja might not get picked and you might see Varun Chakaravarthy in his place in the XI. Chances are high. So you will see Axar in place of Jaddu to see.” he noted.
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