Former Indian cricketer Ravichandaran Ashwin has called for changes in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy. Ashwin has backed mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to be incorporated into India’s squad following his strangling bowling performance in the recently-concluded five-match T20I series against England. 

Chakaravarthy was superb with ball against England, nabbing 14 victims across five games. India have however picked four spinners in their squad for the global event in the form of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. 

"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," R Ashwin said 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 said.

Ashwin feels that Varun might get a nod in ODIs against England on the basis of his heroic performance in T20Is. According to Ashwin, it will not be easy for management to directly take Chakaravarthy to Champions Trophy.

"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 noted.

"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 said.