xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: Varun Chakravarthy's journey in cricket has been a testament to resilience and perseverance. Reflecting on his struggles earlier this year, he admitted, "That's how life is; it is unfair. It was very hard on me." Once considered out of contention for the Indian T20I team, especially after India's underwhelming performance in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Chakravarthy faced an uphill battle. Injuries and the rise of younger spinners like Ravi Bishnoi pushed him further from the spotlight.

Unlike many cricketers who burst onto the scene as teens, Chakravarthy was a late bloomer. His cricketing journey gained momentum only at 28, after making his IPL debut for Punjab Kings following impressive performances in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. However, it was his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2020 that earned him a spot in India’s T20I team, highlighted by a standout five-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals. Unfortunately, his international outings didn’t yield much success, with only two wickets from six matches at a costly average of 66.

Read More: Injury delays Samit Dravid's India U-19 debut ahead of crucial second test

At 33, a return to the national side seemed unlikely, but Chakravarthy refused to give up. Despite not having a strong domestic presence, he consistently impressed in the IPL. His 20 wickets for KKR in 2023, and a further 21 wickets in IPL 2024 at an economy of 8.04, were instrumental in KKR ending their decade-long wait for an IPL title.

Read More: Bumrah calls Test cricket his favorite format, eyes bgger role in Australia

On September 28, his persistence paid off as his name featured in India's T20I squad for the three-match series against Bangladesh, marking a significant comeback for the determined spinner.