Varun Chakaravarthy has been rewarded for his consistent performance. The mystery spinner has been included by captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir in the playing XI for the India vs Bangladesh 1st T20I. It’s been nearly 3 years since Chakaravarthy last donned the Indian jersey after a lackluster performance in the 2021 T20 World Cup, but he’s since turned things around.
In the last two IPL seasons, the mystery spinner has picked up 41 wickets. Last season, with Gambhir as Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) mentor, he ended as the second-highest wicket-taker and played a pivotal part in them winning the cup. However, his inclusion has come at the cost of Ravi Bishnoi.
The leggie, who was the No. 1 T20I bowler not too long ago, has continued to be snubbed. He wasn’t taken to the T20 World Cup 2024 despite doing well in the lead-up to the mega event. He made a comeback and was part of India’s last eight T20Is against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka but has been dropped once again.
Most T20Is missed between two appearances (India)
104 Khaleel Ahmed (2019-24)
86 Varun Chakravarthy (2021-24)*
73 Sanju Samson (2015-20)
70 Shivam Dube (2020-23)
The post Gambhir makes Bishnoi a ‘guest’ in Gwalior, picks KKR’s Varun Chakaravarthy for IND vs BAN 1st T20I appeared first on Inside Sport India.