"If he gets picked, who will go out - Ravindra Jadeja" - Aakash Chopra on reports of Varun Chakaravarthy likely being picked for 2025 Champions Trophy

Former India player Aakash Chopra has noted that Varun Chakaravarthy has been performing well in domestic cricket in both white-ball formats. He observed that reports suggest the Tamil Nadu mystery spinner might be picked in India's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with Ravindra Jadeja potentially being left out.

The 2025 Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 onwards. Before that, the Men in Blue will host England for five T20Is and three ODIs, with the first game to be played in Kolkata on January 22.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that reports suggest Jadeja might have to make way for Chakaravarthy in India's Champions Trophy squad.

"Varun Chakaravarthy is picking up wickets one after the other. He has done well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy also. He took a five-wicket haul against Rajasthan and has been continuously doing well. Since he has returned to the Indian T20I team, he has been picking up wickets every single time," he said (9:15).

"The rumor market is hot, the Indian cricket atmosphere has become like that as we get a lot of source-based news and a few of them come true, that Varun Chakaravarthy could be picked for the Champions Trophy. If he gets picked, who will go out - Ravindra Jadeja. That's what I have been hearing," Chopra added.

Chopra opined that Axar Patel will be preferred over Jadeja as the spin-bowling all-rounder.

"I hope I hadn't heard that but it has come now that Ravindra Jadeja might not be picked and you might see Varun Chakaravarthy in his place in the XI. There is a strong possibility. So you will see Axar in place of Jaddu," he observed.

Jadeja was part of India's squad that reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Axar was also picked in the original squad but was replaced by Ravichandran Ashwin due to an injury.

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"Only one of Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep will play" - Aakash Chopra

Varun Chakaravarthy has represented India only in T20Is. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that while Washington Sundar might also be in contention for a place in India's Champions Trophy squad, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are unlikely to play together in the playing XI.

"For all we know, Washington Sundar might also be picked. All these things are being floated, but I am thinking you won't then get to see batting after No. 7. Our batting will finish at No. 7 and then we will have four proper bowlers. I feel only one of Varun and Kuldeep will play. Both won't be able to play," he said (10:45).

Chakaravarthy has picked up 19 wickets at an average of 18.05 in 13 T20Is. He has accounted for 59 wickets at an outstanding average of 14.13 in 23 List A games.