New Delhi: Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has returned to India’s T20I squad for the tour of New Zealand, completing his recovery from the side strain that cut short his last international appearance and replacing Ravi Bishnoi in the 16-member group.
Varun’s recall restores a proven wicket-taking option to India’s spin department ahead of five T20Is in New Zealand, starting October 22. His experience in the shortest format made him one of the first names discussed once he was declared fit.
The injury layoff
Varun last turned out for India against Afghanistan in Delhi, where he picked up a side strain that ended his outing and forced him out of the subsequent assignments. He missed the Japan T20I and was then unavailable for the Asian Games, watching from the sidelines as India rejigged their spin options.
The injury came at an unfortunate time, just as Varun was re-establishing himself in India’s white-ball plans. The team management, however, was keen not to rush him back, and the spinner has now come through his rehabilitation to reclaim his place.
What Varun brings
Varun’s mystery spin offers India a point of difference. His variations through the air and off the pitch have troubled batters across conditions, and his ability to bowl in different phases of an innings gives the captain flexibility. In a squad blending youth and experience, his know-how in high-pressure T20 games is a valuable asset.
With New Zealand’s batters historically tested by quality spin, Varun’s inclusion also gives India a genuine attacking option through the middle overs, where T20 games are so often decided.
His return also restores balance to the squad. With the T20I group blending youth and experience, having a spinner who has operated at the highest level gives the captain an extra card to play when games tighten in the second half of the innings.
Bishnoi makes way
Ravi Bishnoi is the unfortunate one to miss out as Varun returns. The leg-spinner has been part of India’s recent T20I squads, but the selectors have opted for Varun’s experience and variety for this particular tour. Bishnoi remains firmly in the wider white-ball picture and will be pushing hard for a recall.
What’s next
India’s T20I squad was announced on October 6, with Shreyas Iyer leading the side in New Zealand — a squad that also marked Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback. The squads for the longer formats are expected to follow, as the selectors balance workloads across a packed tour.
For Varun, the immediate goal is straightforward: stay fit, hit the ground running in Christchurch, and remind everyone why his mystery spin is such a weapon.
