Deep Dasgupta, a former India wicketkeeper-batsman, believes Varun Chakravarthy should be India’s first-choice spin bowler at the 2017 T20 World Cup.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Chakravarthy has been in outstanding form for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He has 15 wickets at a strike rate of 20.80 and an economy rate of 6.73 in 13 matches. He took 2 for 26 in KKR’s six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) .
After examining Chakravarthy’s performance in the ongoing IPL, Dasgupta concluded that, on current form, the 30-year-old should be named to India’s T20 World Cup squad.
“For me, if you are picking one spinner apart from (Ravindra) Jadeja, who will play as an all-rounder, my number one spinner at this point in time is Varun Chakravarthy,” the former cricketer said
“My only concern is his fitness. He has struggled in the last six eight months with his fitness – knee, shoulder. I just hope he is fit enough and raring to go. But at this point of time, he is my first spinner to go on that list,” he admitted.
Due to a shoulder injury, Chakravarthy was unable to participate in the Australian tour. Then he was selected for England’s home T20I series, however, he failed the fitness test.
Carlos Brathwaite
Carlos Brathwaite, a West Indian all-rounder, agreed with Dasgupta’s assessment of Chakravarthy. The leg-mystique spinner’s and current form, he believes, give him an advantage over other slow spinners in India’s T20 World Cup selection.
“I think he would (be in the starting XI). You are looking for form. Also, it is not like he is an ordinary, run-of-the-mill off-break or leg-break bowler. He’ll definitely start for me because of his mystery and the x-factor. Also, he’s not been on the international scene for a long period, and not too many people know about him,” the West Indian pointed out.
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