NEW DELHI: Varun Chakravarthy‘s absence from India’s playing XI in the third ODI against England has been attributed to a sore right calf, as confirmed by the BCCI before the match.
The mystery spinner, who was expected to play a role in the dead rubber, was ruled out due to fitness concerns, prompting the Indian team management to rethink their bowling combination for the series finale.
With the series already secured 2-0, India opted for a few changes in their lineup, resting key players like Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja.
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In Chakravarthy’s absence, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar were brought into the squad, giving them a chance to get some game time ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh also got a nod, as India looked to test their bench strength before the major ICC tournament.
Chakravarthy’s unavailability comes at an unfortunate time, as he was likely to get an extended run in the ODI setup. While he has been a proven performer in the Indian Premier League (IPL), his opportunities in international cricket have been sporadic.
With the spin-friendly conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the match could have been a great platform for the 32-year-old to make an impact and strengthen his case for future selections.
Meanwhile, England, having already lost the series, made a change of their own, bringing in Tom Banton in place of Jamie Overton. The visitors have struggled to capitalize on strong starts in the previous games and will be looking for a consolation win.
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As the series winds down, India’s focus remains on finalising their combinations for the Champions Trophy. The team will hope Chakravarthy recovers soon, as his variations could be a crucial asset in subcontinental conditions.