"The next World Cup will be in India only" - Aakash Chopra on whether Varun Chakaravarthy is back after performances in IND vs BAN 2024 T20I series
Aakash Chopra reckons Varun Chakaravarthy might be back in India's T20I reckoning as the next T20 World Cup will be played at home. He lauded the mystery spinner's performance in the second T20I between India and Bangladesh in Delhi on Wednesday, October 9.
The Men in Blue set the Bangla Tigers a mammoth 222-run target after being asked to bat first. Chakaravarthy returned with figures of 2/19 in four overs as the hosts restricted the visitors to 135/9 to register a comprehensive 86-run win.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that Chakaravarthy might have earned himself a place in India's long-term plans after impressive performances in the first two T20Is against Bangladesh.
"Varun Chakaravarthy, is he back, big question, because he is making a comeback after three years. In the first match, he probably got one or two wickets on balls that weren't wicket-taking, which is good. He picked up three wickets. In the second match, he actually bowled better than the first match," he said (6:45).
"He bowled with more confidence and greater consistency. He continuously bowled within the three stumps. The signs thus far are very good. Why do you want to play Varun Chakaravarthy? After two years, the next World Cup will be in India only," the former India opener added.
Chakaravarthy was out of favor after slightly underwhelming performances in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. He made a comeback to the Indian squad in the ongoing series against Bangladesh and has picked up five wickets in the first two games.
"If Varun Chakaravarthy can be at 33, why not Yuzi Chahal?" - Aakash Chopra
In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that Yuzvendra Chahal, just like Varun Chakaravarthy, should also be in the scheme of things.
"Ideally, Yuzi Chahal should have still been in the scheme. If Varun Chakaravarthy can be at 33, why not Yuzi Chahal? You selected him for the World Cup but didn't play him, and he hasn't done anything wrong. He gives outstanding IPLs one season after another. However, you don't give him chances, but that may be to do with something I don't know about," he said (7:10).
However, the renowned commentator added that Chakaravarthy did everything he could to stay in contention.
"However, if you are playing Varun Chakaravarthy and he is doing well, the signs we have got so far, of course, take it with a pinch of salt as Bangladesh are batting like that, so the bowling also starts looking better, but that's not Varun's fault, he has done whatever was in his control. He is consistently bowling at the right spots and using his variations well, and more importantly, he has got the control," Chopra observed.
Chakaravarthy castled Litton Das with his first ball in Wednesday's game. He had Rishad Hossain brilliantly caught by Hardik Pandya at deep midwicket for his second wicket.