India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy troubled the England batters throughout the five-match T20I series, which the hosts won 4-1.
With a staggering 14 scalps at an average of 9.85 and an economy rate of 7.66, Chakaravarthy finished the series as the leading wicket-taker. He ran through the visiting line-up in almost all the games, and even claimed a five-wicket haul in the third T20I at Rajkot.
Impressed with his exploits in the T20I series, Ashwin backed Chakaravarthy to get a late call-up for India's three-match ODI series against England and the subsequent ICC Champions Trophy.
"We are all talking about whether he should have been there (Champions Trophy squad), I am thinking there is a chance he might be there. I have a feeling he might make it. There is a chance because all teams have named only a provisional squad. So, he might get picked," Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
"But, if you look at the existing squad, if a seamer goes out and Varun comes in, it will be an added spinner (five). I don't know who they would want to drop (if they think about getting Varun in). We will wait and see," he added.
India have picked three spin-bowling all-rounders in their Champions Trophy squad – Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Kuldeep Yadav is the lone specialist tweaker in the 15-member squad.
Varun Chakaravarthy's inclusion would mean that India would go to the Champions Trophy with five spinners.
"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 remarked.
"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 Chakaravarthy of T20I cricket at the moment. I wish he grows more and more," he concluded.
While Varun is yet to make his ODI debut, he was the best spinner in the recently held Vijay Hazare Trophy - India's premier 50-over domestic tournament. He returned with 18 wickets from just 6 matches at an average of 12.72.
