The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is on the horizon, and as cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the tournament, there’s been much discussion about team selections. Two players from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana, have shown exceptional promise and could have been valuable additions to the Indian squad for this prestigious event.
Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as one of the most intriguing spinners in white-ball cricket over the past few years. His performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been nothing short of spectacular, making a strong case for his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad.
In the IPL 2024 season, Chakravarthy was a key player in KKR’s title-winning campaign. He spearheaded the KKR bowling attack, claiming 21 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 8.04 across 14 matches. This performance solidified his reputation as a match-winner and demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes tournaments.
Chakravarthy’s T20I statistics further underscore his potential value to the Indian team in the Champions Trophy:
Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w
——-|—–|——|——-|——|——|—–|—–|—–|——|—-|—-|—-|—-|
T20Is | 13 | 13 | 303 | 343 | 19 |5/17 |5/17 |18.05|6.79 |15.90| 1 | 0 | 0
These numbers reflect Chakravarthy’s effectiveness in the shortest format of the game. His economy rate of 6.79 in T20Is is particularly impressive, showcasing his ability to contain runs in a format where scoring rates are typically high. This skill could be invaluable in the Champions Trophy, where controlling the run rate is often crucial to success.
Moreover, Chakravarthy’s mystery spin makes him a unique asset. His ability to bowl multiple variations with the same action makes it difficult for batsmen to read him, providing a tactical advantage in crucial moments of a match. This unpredictability could have been a significant weapon for India in the Champions Trophy, especially against teams less familiar with his bowling style.
Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana, though less experienced at the international level, has shown tremendous potential that could have been harnessed in the Champions Trophy. His performances in the IPL and domestic cricket suggest he could be a valuable addition to India’s pace bowling arsenal.
In the IPL 2024 season, Rana played a crucial role in KKR’s success. Featuring in 13 matches, he picked up 19 wickets at an economy rate of 9.08. For a young fast bowler in a high-scoring tournament, these are commendable figures. His ability to take wickets consistently demonstrates his knack for making breakthroughs, a vital skill in limited-overs cricket.
Rana’s T20 statistics provide further evidence of his capabilities:
Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w
——-|—–|——|——-|——|——|—–|—–|—–|——|—-|—-|—-|—-|
T20s | 25 | 23 | 444 | 662 | 28 |3/24 |3/24 |23.64|8.94 |15.8| 0 | 0 | 0
While his economy rate of 8.94 in T20s might seem high, it’s important to consider the context of his performances. Many of these matches were in the high-scoring environment of the IPL, where even experienced bowlers often concede runs at a higher rate. His average of 23.64 and strike rate of 15.8 indicate his ability to take wickets regularly, a crucial factor in limited-overs cricket.
Rana’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad could have provided India with a fresh pace option. His relative inexperience at the international level could have been an advantage, as opposing teams would have had less opportunity to analyze and prepare for his bowling. Additionally, his recent experience of performing well in pressure situations during KKR’s title-winning IPL campaign could have translated into valuable contributions in a high-stakes tournament like the Champions Trophy.
The Case for Their Inclusion
Both Chakravarthy and Rana have demonstrated their ability to perform in high-pressure situations, as evidenced by their crucial roles in KKR’s IPL 2024 triumph. This big-match temperament is invaluable in a tournament like the Champions Trophy, where every game carries significant weight.
Chakravarthy’s mystery spin could have provided India with a unique bowling option, capable of troubling even the most experienced international batsmen.
His ability to bowl economically while taking wickets could have been a game-changer in the middle overs of matches.
Rana, on the other hand, represents the future of Indian fast bowling. His inclusion could have been seen as an investment in the future while also providing immediate returns.
His ability to learn quickly and adapt to different situations, as demonstrated in his IPL performances, suggests he could have risen to the challenge of international cricket in the Champions Trophy.
Furthermore, the retention of both players by KKR for the IPL 2025 season, despite a massive upheaval in the team that saw the release of established stars like Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Starc, speaks volumes about their value and potential. The faith shown by the KKR management in these players further underscores their readiness for the international stage.
In Summary
While the selectors have their reasons for the choices made, the performances and potential of Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana certainly made them strong contenders for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Their exclusion, while disappointing for their fans, should serve as motivation for these talented players to continue their impressive performances and push for inclusion in future international tournaments.
As cricket evolves and the demands of the game change, players like Chakravarthy and Rana represent the kind of adaptable, multi-skilled cricketers that could define the next generation of Indian cricket. Their journey in the coming years will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them donning the Indian jersey in major tournaments in the near future.
