India’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, has been a force to reckon with in T20 cricket. However, doubts loom over his ability to translate that success into the 50-over format.
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has expressed scepticism about Chakravarthy’s effectiveness in ODIs, suggesting that the bowler’s style may not be well-suited for the longer white-ball format.
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The 33-year-old spinner made waves in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against England, where he was named Player of the Series.
His tally of 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.76 highlighted his prowess in the shortest format. His ability to deceive batters with his variations played a pivotal role in India's triumph.
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Riding on his impressive T20 performances, Chakravarthy earned his maiden ODI cap on February 9, becoming the second-oldest Indian to debut in the format.
However, his debut performance in the second ODI against England in Cuttack was less than stellar. He finished with figures of 10-0-54-1, a respectable return but far from his T20 dominance.
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Basit Ali Doubts Varun Chakravarthy’s ODI Success: ‘He Won’t Be Able to Handle It’
Basit Ali, in his latest YouTube video, opined that Chakravarthy’s bowling style may not be cut out for the ODI format. The former cricketer pointed out that the spinner's reliance on variations might not be as effective when facing batters with the luxury of settling in.
His bowling isn't suited for 50-over cricket. He would not be able to handle it if there are five fielders in the circle. He survived because it was India’s home ground. His length is not what you need to bowl in ODIs.
Ali’s critique suggests that Chakravarthy’s ability to succeed in ODIs could be hindered by fielding restrictions and the necessity to bowl longer spells with more consistency.
Unlike T20 cricket, where batters take risks from the outset, ODI cricket allows them to take time to assess a bowler before attacking, potentially making Chakravarthy’s mystery deliveries less potent.
Chakravarthy’s road to Champions Trophy: Can he earn a spot in India squad?
Despite his T20 heroics, Chakravarthy has not been included in India’s preliminary squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
With the final squad deadline set for February 12, it remains to be seen whether the selectors will reconsider his inclusion. If he is to secure a spot, he may need to prove his worth in the remaining matches and adapt his bowling style to the demands of ODI cricket.
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