India Considers Varun, Awaits Bumrah's Status, Jofra Archer Not a Worry

As the Indian cricket team prepares for the upcoming Champions Trophy, captain Rohit Sharma suggests that Varun Chakravarthy could be a potential addition to the squad if he impresses in the ODI series against England. Meanwhile, the team awaits the status of Jasprit Bumrah's recovery from a back issue, which has left them with limited options in the pace department.

Varun Chakravarthy has been in impressive form, taking 31 wickets in 12 T20Is and being named Player of the Series in the recent 5-match T20I series against England. His performance in the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he finished as the top wicket-taker, has also been notable. With India having only 4 spinners in the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, Varun's additional batting skills could make him a valuable asset.

The Indian team is also facing concerns in the pace department, with only 3 frontline pacer options available due to Jasprit Bumrah's injury. Arshdeep Singh has played only 8 ODIs, and Mohammed Shami is still recovering from a long injury layoff. However, Rohit Sharma has backed Shami to perform well in the Champions Trophy, citing his past performances and saying that recent form is not a good indicator of a player's overall quality.

In other news, KL Rahul could be the preferred wicketkeeper for the 50-over games, although both Rahul and Rishabh Pant are capable of keeping wickets and batting. The team is waiting for the results of Jasprit Bumrah's scan to determine his availability for the third ODI and the Champions Trophy.

As the Indian team navigates these challenges, they will be looking to make the most of their available resources and make informed decisions about their squad for the Champions Trophy. With time still available to make changes until February 12, the team will be closely monitoring the performance of players like Varun Chakravarthy and the recovery of Jasprit Bumrah.