Varun Chakaravarthy has claimed 10 ODI and 33 T20I wickets so far in his international career. Since making his comeback to Team India in 2024 after a three-year hiatus, Varun has been unstoppable. The journey wasn’t easy—he had once considered quitting cricket after a disappointing ICC T20 World Cup 2021, where he failed to take a wicket in three matches.
His struggles continued in IPL 2022, finishing the tournament with just six wickets. But Varun took it all in stride, working tirelessly to reinvent himself. His efforts paid off when he returned to the Indian team in 2024, establishing himself as the first-choice spinner. He went on to become the joint-highest wicket-taker in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph.
Varun Chakaravarthy Compares the Captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma
Varun Chakaravarthy has received unwavering support from Suryakumar Yadav ever since the latter became captain of the Indian T20I team. While Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi were the front-line spinners, Varun Chakaravarthy quickly established himself in the squad, crediting both Suryakumar and Gautam Gambhir for boosting his confidence.
Chakaravarthy impressed with the ball recently, taking 12 wickets against South Africa at an exceptional strike rate of 8.00, following a five-wicket haul in three T20Is against Bangladesh.
“Yes, Surya and Gautam have played big roles in my comeback because they believed in me. Surya told me before the Bangladesh tour, ‘I’m looking at you; let’s see how things go, but I want you in the team setup,’” Varun Chakaravarthy told RevSportz.
Talking about Suryakumar’s captaincy, he said, “Surya is very similar to Rohit in his tactical approach. His experience at MI has exposed him to great leaders. He’s a fantastic person who never pressures bowlers—it’s a bowler’s delight to have him as captain.”
Gambhir’s Guidance and Locker Room Leadership
Varun Chakaravarthy also credited India head coach Gautam Gambhir for his mentorship. “Gauti Bhai has helped me immensely in my comeback, motivating me and always instilling confidence. He’s always said, ‘No matter who ignores you, I’ll keep you in my plans.’ He brings a warrior mindset to the dressing room, which has been vital at KKR and in tournaments like the Champions Trophy,” Varun explained.
He added, “Even in the recent England vs India Test series, his energy was palpable. Around him, there’s no mediocrity—you give everything you have, win or lose.”
