Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has opined that Varun Chakaravarthy should be a part of the Indian team’s playing XI in the upcoming ODI series against England as well. He further added that the spinner wouldn’t have been added to the team to sit on the sidelines as well. However, India will play against England in three ODIs, with the first game to be played in Nagpur on Thursday, February 6.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “This is a big one as well because Varun Chakaravarthy was in my original team. I felt Varun should be kept because you won’t need too many finger spinners and the wrist spinners might actually have a bigger say. However, the selectors hadn’t picked him. Now you have suddenly picked Varun Chakaravarthy here. Since you have decided to use his current red-hot form, which I think is the right thing to do, you will have to play him here now. You cannot make him warm the bench. You don’t call someone from outside to have tea. Now that you have come, you have to play.”

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In the same video, Aakash Chopra stated that India might have to drop the idea of playing an all-rounder at No. 8 as well.

“Two fast bowlers will play for sure. You will have to play Mohammed Shami with Arshdeep Singh. It means you have to leave aside the desire to have a batter at No. 8. That won’t be possible now if you make the team properly. If you don’t play Kuldeep and play Varun, and keep a finger spinner at No. 8, that will defeat the purpose. When will you play Kuldeep then? If you want to keep Varun Chakaravarthy for the Champions Trophy, when will you play him?” Aakash Chopra concluded.