Varun Chakravarthy’s resurgence in the Indian cricket scene can be credited to his exceptional IPL 2024 season with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the impactful guidance of Gautam Gambhir, now India’s head coach. After a successful season where he claimed 21 wickets and helped KKR clinch the title, Chakravarthy earned a call-up to the Indian T20I squad. His return to international cricket was marked by a stellar five-wicket haul against South Africa in the second T20I at St. George’s Park.
Reflecting on Gambhir’s influence, Chakravarthy spoke about the role clarity that has been crucial to his success. “During the Bangladesh tour, where Gambhir was coaching the team, we had multiple discussions that really clarified my role. He told me that even if I go for 30-40 runs, it doesn’t matter as long as I focus on taking wickets. That’s my role in the team, and that clarity has really helped,” Chakravarthy shared after the match in Gqeberha.
His five-wicket performance, which included key dismissals of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, underscored his role as a strike bowler, though India ultimately fell short in defending their total of 124 runs.
A Steady Path to Redemption
Chakravarthy made his Indian debut in 2021, securing a spot for the T20 World Cup with his mystery spin. However, following India’s underwhelming World Cup campaign, he found himself out of the national setup, with selectors favoring spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. Undeterred, Chakravarthy focused on his domestic cricket career, playing extensively in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), which he credits with helping him improve his game. “The last few years were tough, but playing a lot of cricket in the domestic leagues helped me understand my game better,” he added.
Since his IPL debut in 2020, Chakravarthy has become a core player for KKR, claiming at least 17 wickets in four of his five seasons. Over the past two years, he has taken an impressive 41 wickets, establishing himself as one of the premier spinners in T20 cricket.
Now 33, Chakravarthy is determined to secure his place as India’s lead spinner in the T20I format, with hopes that his strong performances will keep him in contention for future series.
