The 33-year-old Indian cricketer Varun Chakravarthy has made his ODI debut in the Cuttack ODI against England and created a new history in Indian cricket.

Leading the three-match ODI series by 1-0 before the second ODI at Barabati Stadium (Cuttack), the hosts India are set to bowl first after losing the toss. In the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma confirmed two changes in the playing XI. While the crowd was full of noise with the announcement of former Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s return as a replacement for the young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Varun Chakravarthy has earned the ODI cap for the first time after the left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has been rested. 

Varun Chakravarthy becomes second oldest Indian cricketer to make an ODI debut

The leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has recorded 33 wickets in 18 T20Is, is making his ODI debut at the age of 33 years and 164 days. He is the second oldest Indian cricketer to make an ODI debut and the oldest to make an ODI debut after India’s ODI debut (July 13, 1974). 

Farokh Engineer holds the record for the oldest Indian cricketer to make an ODI debut, as he was 36 years and 138 days old during India’s first ODI (vs England at Leeds on July 13, 1974).

Varun Chakravarthy won the Player of the Series award during home T20I series against England

Varun Chakravarthy already disturbed the dangerous English batters during the recently concluded home T20I series, which India won by 4-1. During that series, Varun picked up 14 wickets in five matches, which was a record number of wickets for an Indian bowler in a T20I bilateral series. His bowling performances resulted in a strong series victory for the hosts, and the leg-spinner won the Player of the Series award, where he took at least two wickets in all the matches. 

See Also: Shaheen Shah Afridi sets unwanted record in Lahore ODI against New Zealand

Oldest Indian cricketers to make ODI debuts

India are ready to return to the ODI format, as they are set for the home ODI series against England in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. According to media reports, the hosts are set to add the in-form spinner Varun Chakravarthy to the ODI squad for the home series. 

The English white-ball team is reshaping with the Bazball strategy, which completely backfired on them in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against the hosts India, which the hosts won by 4-1. The English batters had no solid answers against the Indian spinners, as the home spinners totally dominated against the dangerous English batters.

Varun Chakravarthy is training with ODI squad

India and England are set for the three-match ODI series, which Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad will host on February 6, 9, and 12, respectively. For the ODI series, Varun Chakravarthy has reportedly been added to the Indian squad, which is an award for Varun for his recent strong performances with the ball in hand. He is training with the Indian ODI squad in Nagpur.

Varun Chakravarthy won the Player of the Series award in the recent T20I series

After recording 12 wickets in the four-match T20I series in South Africa last November, Varun Chakravarthy broke his own record of most wickets by an Indian bowler in the bilateral T20I series history after picking up 14 wickets in the five-match T20I series against England at home. Without any doubt, Chakravarthy won the Player of the Series award in the recently concluded home T20I series for performing consistently in the series, where the leggie picked up at least two wickets in every match.

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Varun Chakravarthy can be added to the Champions Trophy squad

Varun Chakravarthy wasn’t in the squad for the upcoming home ODI series against England, which also completely follows India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (the only exception is Harshit Rana, who is replacing Jasprit Bumrah for the first two matches of the home ODI series against England), which will be played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, due to his strong performances in the T20I format, Varun has reportedly been added to the ODI squad for the home ODI series against England. He can be even added to the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

Varun Chakravarthy is in great form in one-day format

The 33-year-old Varun hasn’t made his ODI debut yet. In 23 List A matches, the leg-spinner has taken 59 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls, which is really excellent. His bowling average and strike rate in the List A format are 14.13 and 19.80, respectively. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, the domestic List A tournament, Varun was the joint-second leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets in six games, including two fifers. 

If Varun makes his ODI debut in the home series against England, he will be the second oldest Indian cricketer to make an ODI debut.

Indian leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy is in dream form with the ball as he claimed his second T20I fifer in the Rajkot T20I. By completing 10 wickets in the ongoing home series against England, Varun set up a new world record in T20I cricket.

While India are leading the series by 2-0 at the end of two matches of the five-match T20I series, the Rajkot T20I was a must-win match for England, just like the next two fixtures.

After Indian captain Surykumar Yadav chose to field first, India restricted England to 171/9 in 20 overs. Although India lost the game by 26 runs after scoring 145/9, Varun Chakravarthy won the Player of the Match award for his incredible bowling performance.

See Also: Twitter Reactions: Fans react brutally after India lose Rajkot T20I

Varun Chakravarthy recorded his second T20I fifer

England got a strong start in the Rajkot T20I. Opener Ben Duckett scored a strong 50 as England were once batting on 83/1. However, Indian spinners bowled superbly, as the visitors later found themselves at 127/8. 

Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy shined once again as he picked up a fifer. He finished the game with the bowling figures of 4-0-24-5, which were the joint second-best T20I bowling figures by an Indian bowler against England. 

Indians with the best bowling figures against England in T20I

Varun Chakravarthy: 1st bowler to record "10 or more wickets in a bilateral T20I series " more than once

With this five-wicket haul, Varun Chakravarthy has recorded 10 wickets in this T20I series, while two matches are yet to be played. In their previous T20I series, which was a four-match T20I series against the hosts South Africa, Varun recorded 12 wickets in four games, India’s record for most wickets in a bilateral T20I series. 

As he has achieved 10 wickets or more in back-to-back T20I series, Varun Chakravarthy created history by recording 10 or more wickets in a bilateral T20I series more than once. There is no other bowler who has achieved it twice.

Visitors England made a comeback in the T20I series against the hosts India after clinching a handsome 26-run win in the Rajkot T20I on Tuesday (January 28). 

Leading the T20I series by 2-0, the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss once again and chose to field in the third of the five-match T20I series at Rajkot. It was the much-awaited comeback match for the Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who missed out on international cricket for more than 14 months. While England scored 171/9 in 20 overs, India replied with 145/9 in 20 overs. 

England innings: Ben Duckett powered before Varun Chakravarthy's magic

Although the opener Phil Salt once again lost his wicket early at five runs, his opening partner Ben Duckett set up a strong start with the in-form skipper Jos Buttler. Duckett was dominating the Indian bowlers from the powerplay and set up England’s first 50-run partnership in this T20I series as he had a 76-run partnership for the second wicket with Buttler. 

Once England were batting at 83/1, but the Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav handled the spinners really well as the English batting line-up once again faced deep trouble. From 83/1, England were suddenly down to 127/8. 

While the skipper Buttler scored 24 off 22 balls, the opener Duckett scored 51 off 28 balls with seven fours and two sixes. 

Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy claimed a fifer as he had bowling figures of 4-0-24-5. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets (2/33), while Axar Patel (1/19) and Ravi Bishnoi (1/46) got one wicket each. 

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah Honored as ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024

Liam Livingstone added vital runs

While the other English middle and lower-order batters struggled, Liam Livingstone added some vital runs of 43 off 24 balls with the help of one four and five sixes. Also, Adil Rashid (10*) and Mark Wood’s (10*) additions proved crucial for the visitors.

Indian innings: No strong batting performance; England bowlers were disciplined powered by Adil Rashid

In reply, England were taking wickets at regular intervals, while the English skipper Jos Buttler handled the bowlers really well. Opener Abhishek Sharma got a strong start but was caught out for 24 off 14 balls as Jofra Archer took a great catch. Captain Suryakumar Yadav (14) is far away from his form, while Tilak Varma was finally dismissed by brilliant Adil Rashid for 18 runs.

Apart from Abhishek, only Hardik Pandya scored 20+ runs in that innings, but he didn’t get any support who could help him by at least rotating the strike. Pandya scored 40 off 35 balls with one four and two sixes but it was far from enough.

Adil Rashid was exceptional once again with the bowling figures of 4-0-15-1, while Jamie Overton took three wickets (3/24). Also, Brydon Carse (2/28) and Jofra Archer (2/33) picked up two wickets and Mark Wood got a wicket (1/29).

With the 26-run win, England are trailing the five-match T20I series by 2-1 with two to go. 

During the Chennai T20I, Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy once again provided control for the hosts against England. While Harry Brook was once again foxed by Chakravarthy, former Indian cricketers and present commentators, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar, teased him by mentioning the smog-free Chennai T20I.

Harry Brook blamed smog for their Kolkata T20I batting failure

Eden Gardens in Kolkata hosted the five-match T20I series opener between the hosts India and the visitors England last Wednesday night. After India sent the visitors to bat first, England scored 132 all out in 20 overs, and India chased down the target in 12.5 overs after losing three wickets. Apart from the English skipper Jos Buttler (68), none of the other English batters managed to reach the 20-run mark in that innings.

Talking about their poor batting performances, especially against the Indian spinners, Harry Brook blamed the smog condition in Kolkata.

See Also: Jos Buttler becomes 1st English batter to hit 150 T20I sixes

Brook once again fell early in Chennai T20I

Meanwhile, MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk, Chennai) is hosting the second game of the T20I series on Saturday. Although the vision is clearer in Chennai than in Kolkata, England batters once again disappointed despite their skipper Jos Buttler once again providing a powerful start. 

It was the seventh over of the first innings of the Chennai T20I when the Kolkata T20I hero Varun Chakravarthy bowled Harry Brook for 13 runs. Brook seemed clueless in that dismissal while the Indian commentators started teasing his dismissal by mentioning the smog. 

Ravi Shastri - you don't need the smog tonight. It sneaked through. 😂

Sunil Gavaskar - Chakravarthy might be asking if there's any smog? pic.twitter.com/MDWpwaNGks

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 25, 2025

Former Indian cricketer and head coach, Ravi Shastri said, “That’s through it. Once again, it’s Varun Chakravarthy. You don’t need the smog. This is sneaked through, and it's crushed into the stumps.”

Meanwhile, the legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar added, “You said it, you said it. The light is clearer here, and there were some smog in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, no smog here.”

The ICC Champions Trophy is back after eight years, and after much deliberation, the competition will begin on February 19th in Pakistan and UAE (only for India matches). India, the past edition's finalist, has officially unveiled their lineup after having supporters wait a little longer than expected, and it is a team with a solid mix of youth and experience.

The Indian Cricket Team announced their tournament team yesterday, and some fascinating and alarming details emerged, sparking much debate and discussion among Indian cricket fans. Taking away the positive aspects of the team, we examine the three players to see who may make an impact in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Hosts India started the five-match T20I series against England dominantly with a one-sided seven-wicket win at Kolkata on Wednesday night, which created a new history.

After the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to field first, England scored 132 runs in 20 overs, where they also lost all ten wickets. In reply, India reached the target in just 12.5 overs after losing only three wickets. 

Largest T20I win by balls remaining against England

While India have taken a 1-0 lead in this five-match T20I series with four to go after winning the opener by seven wickets, India recorded the fastest successful T20I chase for any team against England as they chased down the target with 43 balls remaining in the second innings. Australia were the previous record holder by winning against England by seven wickets with 33 balls remaining during the 2018 Melbourne T20I. In the meantime, it was India's sixth-largest T20I win by balls remaining, and their second-largest home T20I win by balls remaining.   

Jos Buttler was the lone warrior in England innings

Apart from the skipper Jos Buttler, all other English batters failed against the Indian bowlers. Although the opening batters, Phil Salt (0) and Ben Duckett (4) failed cheaply to Arshdeep Singh, Buttler was powerful as England scored 46/2 at the end of the powerplay. However, the other batters had no clue against the Indian spinners, especially against Varun Chakravarthy, as the English skipper didn't get any proper support. 

While Buttler scored 68 off 44 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes, Harry Brook (17) and Jofra Archer (12) were the only other English batters with double-digit scores. 

While the spinner Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets (3/23), who also won the Player of the Match award, Arshdeep Singh (2/17), Axar Patel (2/22), and Hardik Pandya (2/42) collected two wickets each. 

See Also: Arshdeep Singh becomes the leading T20I wicket-taker for India

Abhishek Sharma dominated after Sanju Samson's powerful start

In reply, the opener Sanju Samson provided a strong start by scoring 22 runs in the second over of the innings against Gus Atkinson. Although Samson and the skipper Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed in the fifth over for 26 and a duck, respectively, another opener Abhishek Sharma totally took control of the game with his powerful batting. 

The left-handed opening batter Sharma completed his second T20I half-century in just 20 balls and scored 79 off 34 balls before Adil Rashid dismissed him in the late moment of the innings. In that special innings, Sharma hit five fours and eight sixes, and he had an 84-run partnership with Tilak Varma for the third wicket. At that successful chasing, Varma was not out for 19 runs, and Hardik Pandya scored three not out. 

In the crucial moment of the first innings of the Kolkata T20I, Indian in-form spinner Varun Chakravarthy brought double blows for the English side to guide the Indian team to the top of the game. 

Although England were losing wickets from the first over, English skipper Jos Buttler was in the attacking mood, which was the beginning of the new era of Bazball in white ball cricket. Thanks to his batting, England scored 46 runs despite losing both the openers cheaply. 

See Also: RCB players flop show: English cricketers disappoint in Kolkata T20I

Varun Chakravarthy bowled Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone

In the next over at the end of the powerplay, Indian vice-captain Axar Patel conceded 15 runs, including two sixes. So, it was a very crucial time for both teams, while Varun Chakravarthy broke the visitors' confidence with two wickets in his second over, as the leg-spinner bowled two dangerous batters Harry Brook (17) and Liam Livingstone (0). Those wickets put the visitors down to 65/4. It was just the beginning of England's batting struggle in the evening. 

VARUN, THE MAGICIAN OF T20I. 💪 pic.twitter.com/VEuGUEjMMn

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 22, 2025

Varun Chakravarthy won the Player of the Match award after India won comfortably

Only the English skipper Jos Buttler managed to produce some fight. The right-handed batter scored 68 off 44 balls before becoming the third victim of Varun Chakravarthy in the match. The Indian spinner ended the evening with the bowling figures of 4-0-23-3 which led the visitors to manage only 132 runs in 20 overs as there was no other 20s. In reply, India comfortably chased down the target in 12.5 overs after losing three wickets as the opener Abhishek Sharma produced a stormy batting of 79 runs in just 34 balls. 

While India have taken a 1-0 lead in the series with a dominating win, Varun Chakravarthy won the Player of the Match award for his incredible bowling performance. It was his first Player of the Match award in his T20I career. 

The Indian Cricket Team is all set to give their all in the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, where they will be up against the eight powerhouse teams for an enticing tournament. The selection committee has finalised the 15-member roster, and the coaching staff and captain are responsible for picking the playing XI. India, led by Virat Kohli, competed in the previous tournament's final, which Pakistan won by a landslide. 

However, eight years later, the leadership mantle and responsibility has been given to Rohit Sharma, with India looking to win the prized trophy for the first time since 2013. From experienced veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to developing talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the squad has tremendous talent that can make a significant impact. That said, here we create the strongest probable Playing XI of the Indian Cricket Team for the forthcoming tournament.

India 15-man squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

India's Strongest Probable Playing XI:

• Rohit Sharma (Captain)
• Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
• Hardik Pandya
• Axar Patel
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Arshdeep Singh
• Mohammed Shami 

In the top order, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have performed admirably as an opening duo in ODI cricket. They also have much experience playing together. Rohit and Shubman were India's openers in the previous ODI World Cup. However, there is no doubt about their ability, and Indian supporters will be hoping that the captain-vice captain combo can get back into the running in the flagship event. The two talismanic batters have formed a lethal opening partnership in the last few years, with their recent performance against England acting as a prime example. 

India's middle order is one of the best positives that can be yielded from the released lineup. It possesses the correct and optimum mix of calibre and exceptional intent to change the course of the game. Virat Kohli was the leading run-scorer in the ODI World Cup 2023. His credentials in 50-over cricket are outstanding, which makes it a no-brainer that he gets the No.3 spot. If Kohli is in top form, India will benefit greatly, thanks to his impeccable experience. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer is returning to the ODI format and has performed admirably in the 2023 World Cup. This will be his first appearance in the Champions Trophy. Shreyas Iyer's performance at No. 4 will be crucial. KL Rahul will likely wear the wicketkeeping gloves and be the ideal batter to contribute critical runs. The Karnataka-based player has a terrific record in ODIs at No. 5, making him a perfect choice for giving a robust stability to the batting core.

See Also: 3 Reasons why India cannot win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Hardik Pandya, India's most premium white-ball allrounder, should start at No.6 and give much-needed balance to the team with his power-hitting and reliable medium-pace. Ravindra Jadeja will be the spin-bowling all-rounder, slotted at No.7, known for producing memorable moments for the Indian Cricket Team. Another option that can be taken for No.7 is Axar Patel. Patel's rise in the International space of the game has been noteworthy. The left-arm off-spinner has played a crucial role in the team's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup, and it's not a surprise that he could do the same in the coming games. As it implies, about the conditions, the team can choose one of the all-rounders for a complete arsenal. After recovering from a groin injury, Kuldeep Yadav has resumed bowling at the nets. He will play a key role in the middle overs when he can grab significant wickets and shift the momentum in India's favour. Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar will also help in the team's spinners' arsenal.

Mohammed Shami will make his much-anticipated return to international cricket. His recent domestic circuit performance has shown promise, and it will be interesting to watch how his pace and wicket-taking talents will flip the game in his team's favour. With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to a back injury, Harshit Rana will replace the lethal pacer, showing promise to the emerging pacers attack. Arshdeep Singh has been a regular for India in the Twenty20 format, but he has yet to establish himself in the One-Day Internationals, and this should be the right platform for it. The left-arm seamer will provide a fresh dimension to the team.

Overall, this squad combines seasoned veterans and developing talent to provide a balanced and competitive advantage in the competition. However, player fitness and form will determine the final selection as the competition advances.

The senior Indian men’s national selection committee is busy sorting out the squads for the upcoming home white-ball series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. One key Indian wicketkeeper-batter is likely to miss the upcoming home series against England.

Before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates will host from February 19, India will host England in a five-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series.

See Also: India's Impressive 44-Year Streak: Unbeaten at Home in ODI Series Against England

KL Rahul is likely to be rested from the limited-overs series against England

According to a recent Times of India report, KL Rahul is unlikely to participate in the upcoming home white-ball series against England. While some Indian players, who were involved in the lengthy Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, are likely to be rested for the upcoming home white-ball series against England, Rahul is one of them.

The TOI report claimed that Rahul’s place in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is confirmed. A TOI source claimed, “Rahul’s place is confirmed for the ICC Champions Trophy, and the selectors have decided to rest him against England.” In this case, the selectors can go with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, or Ishan Kishan for the upcoming limited-overs series against England.

In the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rahul’s batting position wasn’t fixed. Still, he was the third-leading run-scorer for India on that Australia tour, where the right-handed batter scored 276 runs with an average of 30.66, including two half-centuries. He performed well in that series. 

While Rahul is an important name in the ODI squad, he hasn’t played a T20I match since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final defeat against England. 

In-form Varun Chakravarthy can make ODI debut

The 33-year-old leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has taken 19 wickets in 13 T20Is, is also on the line for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 selections. So, he can make his ODI debut in the upcoming home ODI series against England. He is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing domestic List A tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, with 18 wickets, including two fifers.