• Source:JND
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Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was seen training with the Indian ODI team on Tuesday as the Rohit Sharma-led side gears up to take on England in the first match of the series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday.

As per PTI the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner was observed bowling in the nets as the team, captained by Rohit, initiated their preparations for the upcoming three-match series against England, scheduled to commence on February 6.

India's training session was held in the afternoon at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

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The Indian cricket contingent comprising superstars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma was in Nagpur on Monday. Notably, Varun Chakaravarthy was not spotted alongside the rest of the squad in the visuals captured at the Nagpur airport on Monday, sparking curiosity about his presence with the team during practice on Tuesday.

With four spinners already named in the 15-man Champions Trophy squad, it would be interesting to see where Varun fits into the team if he indeed gets selected. With the deadline for squad changes for the Champions Trophy set for February 12, he remains a strong candidate for selection. However, it is unlikely that he will be added to CT squad without playing a single ODI.

"As of now, the team management wanted Varun to bowl in ODI squad nets ahead of England series. Varun doesn't play red-ball cricket," a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"With domestic white ball season already concluded, he doesn't have any assignments till start of IPL end March. He is in good rhythm and they want him to continue that," he added.

Chakaravarthy's appearances in training sessions have drawn attention, with former India spinner R Ashwin suggesting that Kolkata Knight Riders spinner could be in contention for the Indian Champions Trophy squad. 

"I have a feeling that Varun might get a chance to play in the ODi series between India and England. I don't think it's an easy call to take him directly to the Champions Trophy. He has not played ODIs. I have a feeling they will give him a chance in the India vs England ODI series," Ashwin said in his YouTube show.

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"If they don't give him a chance here, then it's difficult. But, nevertheless, I congratulate Varun for his first player of the tournament award. He is the Chakravarthy of T20I cricket at the moment. I wish he grows more and more," he added.

Chakaravarthy starred in the recently concluded T20I series, in which India emerged victorious 4-1. He was deemed the Player of the Series given his astonishing ability to pick up 14 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, in just five matches. Varun was nearly unplayable for the English batters in the middle overs, as they struggled to decipher his sly variations.