Dinesh Karthik urges selectors to pick Varun Chakaravarthy for Champions Trophy 2025

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik urged the selectors to pick Varun Chakaravarthy in India's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 after the 33-year-old bagged a five-for in the second T20I against South Africa at St George's Park, Gqeberha, on Sunday, November 10.

Karthik has seen Chakaravarthy's development from close quarters as he has played alongside the mystery spinner for teams like Tamil Nadu and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Chakaravarthy returned to the Indian team last month during the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker. His previous appearance for the Men in Blue was in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Chakaravarthy has managed to build on his performances against Bangladesh as he has already bagged eight wickets from two games versus the Proteas. Karthik praised the Bidar-born and said that India would be making a big mistake if they leave him out of the Champions Trophy squad.

"If India don't pick VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY for the Champions Trophy, then they are making a grave error. Outstanding Bowler he is turning out to be," Dinesh Karthik wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Check out Dinesh Karthik's latest post here:

Varun Chakaravarthy's sensational efforts go in vain as South Africa draw level

After Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second T20I, India huffed and puffed to 124/6 in their 20 overs. Hardik Pandya top-scored for the tourists with an unbeaten 39 off 45 deliveries. Axar Patel (27) and Tilak Varma (20) were the only other Indian batters who got to double figures.

Also Read: SA vs IND 2024: Aakash Chopra lauds Varun Chakravarthy after five-for, analyses his bowling variation

In reply, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals, especially after the introduction of Chakaravarthy in the sixth over. He finished with figures of 5/17 in his four overs to rattle the Proteas. In the end, a brilliant eighth-wicket partnership of 42 off 20 balls between Tristan Stubbs (47*) and Gerald Coetzee (19*) took the home side to victory with three wickets and an over to spare.