Varun Chakravarthy has been a revelation ever since his return to the Indian T20I squad. The 33-year-old has claimed an impressive 20 wickets in T20Is at an incredible average of 11.70 since his comeback, making him the highest wicket-taker in the format not only for India but among full-member nations. Chakravarthy’s masterful spell in the first T20I against England, where his carrom balls and googlies left English batters clueless. He will return to his hometown, Chennai, where the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium will host the second IND vs ENG T20I.
IPL or domestic cricket for Varun Chakravarthy?
While the IPL 2024 season played a key role in his resurgence—he picked up 21 wickets in 14 innings at an exceptional average of 14.00 and led KKR to their title triumph—it is Chakravarthy’s consistent domestic performances that have kept him in peak form. His outings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2023, where he took 19 wickets with a strike rate of 18.00, were particularly instrumental in maintaining his rhythm.
Chakravarthy credits the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) for keeping him sharp and ready for international challenges. “The level of cricket in domestic tournaments is very high, almost on par with the IPL and international matches,” he said ahead of the second T20I in Chennai.
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Playing in small, batter-friendly grounds in the SMAT forced him to stay instinctive and adapt to high-pressure situations, which he believes has helped him excel. Representing Tamil Nadu, he embraced India’s aggressive cricket mantra, proving his mettle as a bowler capable of handling any challenge. As he prepares for his first international game at his home ground, Chepauk, Chakravarthy reflects on the occasion. “Playing in Chennai, in front of my parents and the home crowd, is very special for me,” he said.
With Jasprit Bumrah absent, Chakravarthy’s mystery spin has become India’s X-factor. Despite the added responsibility, the spinner remains unfazed. “My role is to be aggressive, brave, and bowl at the stumps. GG (Gautam Gambhir) and Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) ensure there’s no external pressure on us,” he added.
