Former Indian batter Suresh Raina recently shared his thoughts on India's primary spin option for the Champions Trophy 2025. He favoured Kuldeep Yadav, who was the first spinner named in the squad. Varun Chakravarthy's inclusion remains uncertain, as he was recently called up to the ODI squad to face England. In the first ODI of the series, Kuldeep played, while in the second match, Varun made his debut, replacing Kuldeep in the playing XI.
When asked who he believes should be India's primary spin option if Varun were to be added to the Champions Trophy squad, Raina confidently chose Kuldeep Yadav. He emphasized the importance of experience in the 50-over format, noting that Kuldeep has a stronger track record in ODIs compared to Varun.
Raina highlighted Kuldeep's ability to take wickets in quick succession, suggesting that Varun may not match that quality. While he acknowledged Varun's contributions in T20 cricket, Raina expressed a clear preference for Kuldeep due to his temperament, variety, and wicket-taking abilities.
“I think Varun is more used to bowling in T20Is for now, while Kuldeep has variety and wicket-taking ability. Most importantly, he rises to the occasion in big tournaments. I still remember the way he clean bowled Babar Azam in the ODI World Cup 2019. He has a different skill in his hands, Kuldeep carries massive experience with him of playing big matches."
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Both spinners played one match each in the series, with Kuldeep finishing with figures of 1 for 53 and Varun, on his debut, recording 1 for 54 in Cuttack. Although both performances were modest, it is worth noting that Varun was new to this format and was included in the squad due to his impressive form in T20s.
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However, in the ongoing debate between the two, Kuldeep's longstanding contributions to India in ICC tournaments since the 2019 World Cup give him a significant edge. In contrast, Varun's debut at the 2021 World Cup in Dubai was not particularly memorable.Â
Overall, Suresh Raina's preference for Kuldeep Yadav over Varun Chakravarthy reflects a consensus within the cricketing community, favoring experience over current form for such a marquee tournament.
