In a recent major development, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is likely to miss out on a potential Team India debut for the second time in five months. Chakravarthy made the headlines during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he finished with 17 wickets in 13 matches including a stunning five-wicket haul which also in turned helped him an earn a maiden call-up to the Indian T20I team for the recently concluded Australian tour. However, due to a last minute injury, he was forced to miss the tour Down Under.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set new parameters for the players with regards to their fitness which is either completing a 2 km run in 8.5 minutes or scoring 17.1 in the Yo-Yo test. According to the recent reports, it has been understood that Varun Chakravarthy has failed to clear both the tests and might miss out on joining the national team for the upcoming India vs England five-match T20I series starting with the first T20I on March 12. However, during a recent interaction, Varun mentioned that he is yet to be formally communicated by the BCCI on the development.
“I have not been informed of anything as yet,” said Varun Chakravarthy while speaking to Cricbuzz.
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It is understood that Chakravarthy was present at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for three months recovering from his injury where he was working on his inability to throw and is currently training with the KKR team. It is also reported that the rehab programme of the 29-year-old went as planned and there is a remarkable improvement in his strength and conditioning. Chakravarthy did not even play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Tamil Nadu and isn’t part of the state team for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“He was never in contention for a one-day team berth because we consider him as a T20 specialist. It will be difficult to expect more than four-five overs from him because of the effort he puts on his fingers,” Tamil Nadu secretary S Ramasamy said.
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