Varun Chakravarthy, the 33-year-old mystery spinner, has made a remarkable return to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh. His journey back to the national team is one of perseverance and grit, following a challenging period after India’s disappointing performance in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Varun Chakravarthy, who struggled to regain his place in the team, faced competition from emerging talents like Ravi Bishnoi and other young spinners. Injuries further complicated his comeback, making his path to international cricket even more difficult.
Varun Chakravarthy’s rise to prominence came later in his career, making his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for the Punjab Kings at the age of 28 after grinding through the Tamil Nadu Premier League. It was his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2020 that truly propelled him into the national spotlight, especially after a five-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals, which earned him a place in India’s T20I squad. However, his international career did not get off to a smooth start, as he managed to pick up only two wickets in six matches at an average of 66, leading many to question whether he would get another opportunity to prove his worth.
Despite the odds, Varun Chakravarthy never gave up. While he wasn’t a dominant force in domestic cricket, he made the most of his opportunities in the IPL. His consistent performances in the T20 format kept him in contention. In IPL 2023, despite KKR not advancing to the playoffs, Varun Chakravarthy impressed by taking 20 wickets and carried his form into IPL 2024. His efforts were crucial in KKR’s long-awaited IPL title victory, their first since 2014. Varun Chakravarthy picked up 21 wickets in 14 games at an economy rate of 8.04, thriving even on high-scoring pitches.
His recent performances did not go unnoticed, and on September 28, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named him in the squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel lauded Varun Chakravarthy’s return, acknowledging the hard work and resilience he displayed over the past two years.
With this call-up, Varun Chakravarthy has a second chance to make a lasting impact on the international stage. Given his age and the competition for places, it could be a defining moment in his career—one that he must seize, as opportunities like this may not come again.
