“It is unlikely that he will play the whole tournament” - Indian legend’s massive claim on Varun Chakaravarthy ahead of SMAT 2025-26

Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin made a massive claim on spinner Varun Chakaravarthy ahead of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26. Varun has been named in Tamil Nadu's squad for the tournament.

Moreover, he has also been named captain of the side. However, Ashwin reckoned that Varun may not play the entire tournament, and hence, Narayan Jagadeesan, who has been named vice-captain, would take over.

The SMAT 2025-26 is set to begin on November 26 and will end on December 18. Notably, India are set to host South Africa for a five-match T20I series beginning December 9. Varun Chakaravarthy, an integral part of the Indian T20I side, would therefore have to leave the SMAT midway owing to national duty.

"Tamil Nadu have put the captaincy on Varun Chakavarthy's head for the SMAT. It is unlikely that he will play so the whole tournament so Jagadeesan will take over. Sai Kishore and M Siddharth are in the squad as well. Shah Rukh Khan is there as a finisher. Natarajan might come back into the squad. One of CSK's retention Gurjapneet is also there," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Speaking of the SMAT, Ashwin also hailed Punjab Kings (PBKS) opener Priyansh Arya. He revealed having watched him in a game three years ago, which caught his attention. Praising some of his shots, Ashwin reflected that young Indian sensation Vaibhav Suryvanshi also has similar talent.

"I saw Priyansh in a Syed Mushtaq Ali game three years back. It was a tough wicket and he hit Prasidh Krishna for a six over extra cover off the backfoot. I thought wow who is this guy but he went unsold that year. The next year Punjab took him and he tore it apart. Similarly, Suryavanshi also has two to three very good shots."

Suryavanshi has been in scintillating form. In the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025/26, he has smashed 201 runs in just three matches for India A at an average of 67 and a strike-rate of 242.16 with a century as well.

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Indian legend feels SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) could give Karnataka batter a go in IPL 2026

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) have retained Karnataka batter Ravichandran Smaran ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Ravichandran Ashwin reckoned that the franchise could give him a go, considering his brilliant form.

The former cricketer reflected that SRH required good Indian batters in the line-up. Smaran has been in outstanding form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He has scored 595 runs in seven innings so far at an average of 119 with two hundreds and as many fifties.

"Smaran is a tall and lanky player, not the diminutive left-hander. But the cover drive that he plays has a punch. It is a natural skill. He played some terrific knocks in the Maharaja Trophy. SRH have Abhishek and Travis Head but need an Indian heavy batting line-up beyond that. So there is a chance that they might give Smaran a go. If he gets a go it can be a good setup," he said.

In the Maharaja Trophy 2025, Karnataka's premier domestic T20 tournament, the left-hander scored 415 runs in ten innings at an average of 69.17 and a strike-rate of 156.02. He was signed by SRH at his base price of ₹30 lakh for IPL 2025 but did not get a single game.