Varun Chakravarthy: The Rise of IPL’s Mystery Spinner & His Record-Breaking Journey
Varun Chakravarthy Vinod, popularly known as CV Varun or Varun Chakravarthy, has made a name for himself as one of the most formidable mystery spinners in modern-day cricket. Born on August 29, 1991, in Bidar, Karnataka, and raised in Tamil Nadu, Chakravarthy’s journey from being an architect to becoming one of the most feared bowlers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is nothing short of inspirational.
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Varun Chakravarthy,
Kolkata Knight Riders mystery spinner, bowling in IPL match, showcasing his
spin variations and wicket-taking skills. Photo@TNCA |
Early Life and Domestic Cricket Journey
Varun Chakravarthy
started as a wicketkeeper-batter but transitioned into a mystery spinner after
multiple rejections at the junior level. He pursued an architecture degree and
worked as a freelancer before deciding to return to cricket. His breakthrough
came when he played for Siechem Madurai Panthers in the Tamil Nadu Premier
League (TNPL) 2018. His ability to bowl tight spells and deceive batters with
his variations caught the attention of selectors.
Chakravarthy made his
List-A debut for Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 on
September 20, 2018, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker for his team
with 22 wickets in nine matches. His stellar performance helped Tamil
Nadu reach the knockout stages. A month later, he made his first-class debut
for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19, though it turned out to be
his only appearance in first-class cricket.
IPL Journey: From Obscurity to Stardom
Varun Chakravarthy’s
exceptional performances in TNPL and domestic cricket made him one of the most
sought-after players in the IPL 2019 auction. He was snapped up by Kings
XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for INR 8.4 crore, a staggering 42 times his
base price of INR 20 lakh. However, injuries marred his debut season, and he
played only one match before being ruled out due to a finger fracture.
Despite an unfortunate
start, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) saw his potential and acquired him for INR 4
crore in the IPL 2020 auction. This proved to be a turning point in his
career as he became a vital cog in KKR’s bowling lineup. In the IPL 2020
season, he took 17 wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 6.84,
including a sensational five-wicket haul (5/20) against Delhi Capitals—becoming
only the second uncapped player to achieve this feat in IPL history.
In IPL 2021,
Chakravarthy continued his dominance by picking 18 wickets and playing a
crucial role in KKR’s journey to the final, where they finished as runners-up.
The following seasons saw him further cement his status as a premier spinner:
- IPL 2023: 20 wickets
– Most wickets for KKR
- IPL 2024: 21 wickets
– Most wickets for KKR and second-highest wicket-taker overall
His exploits in IPL
2024 were instrumental in helping Kolkata Knight Riders clinch their
third IPL title, reaffirming his value as KKR’s premier spin-bowling asset.
International Career: Limited Opportunities
Varun Chakravarthy made
his T20I debut for India against Sri Lanka on July 25, 2021, in
Colombo. He had a decent outing, taking 1/28 and dismissing Sri Lankan
skipper Dasun Shanaka. His performances in IPL 2021 earned him a spot in
India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, but he struggled, going
wicketless in the tournament. Since then, he has not been given many
opportunities in the Indian setup.
Records and Achievements
Varun Chakravarthy has
set several records in domestic and IPL cricket:
- Most wickets for Tamil Nadu in Vijay Hazare Trophy
2018-19 (22 wickets)
- Second-most wickets in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 after Shahbaz Nadeem
- Most wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020
(17 wickets)
- Most wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021
(18 wickets)
- Most wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023
(20 wickets)
- Most wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024
(21 wickets)
- Most wickets by a spinner in IPL 2024
- Third-most wickets for KKR in IPL history, only behind Sunil Narine and Andre Russell
- Most wickets for KKR by an Indian in IPL history (82
wickets)
Varun Chakravarthy’s Bowling Style and Variations
What makes Varun
Chakravarthy a nightmare for batters is his mystery spin, which
includes at least seven different variations. His ability to mix
off-breaks, leg-breaks, flippers, and carrom balls makes him unpredictable. His
accuracy and ability to keep the batters guessing have played a huge role in
his success in T20 cricket.
Personal Life and Family
Varun Chakravarthy’s
journey has been supported by his family. His father, Vinod Chakravarthy,
is a Chief General Manager at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, while his mother, Malini,
is a homemaker. He is married to his longtime girlfriend, Neha Khedekar,
and the couple has a son named Aathman. He also has a sister, Vanditha
Chakravarthy.
The Road Ahead
At 32, Varun Chakravarthy
is at the peak of his career. With his consistent performances in the IPL
and domestic cricket, he remains a key player for KKR and a potential
contender for a comeback in India’s T20I squad. His ability to adapt and
refine his bowling variations makes him an asset in franchise cricket
and a tough competitor in T20 leagues worldwide.
Conclusion
Varun Chakravarthy’s rise
from a struggling cricketer to one of IPL’s premier spinners is a story
of perseverance, talent, and hard work. His journey proves that dedication and
continuous learning can turn dreams into reality. As he continues to dominate
in the IPL, fans and cricket experts eagerly await to see if he can make a
return to the international stage.
With records,
match-winning performances, and a mystery spin arsenal that continues to
baffle the best batters, Varun Chakravarthy is undoubtedly a force to be
reckoned with in modern-day cricket.
Relaed article:
FAQs:
1. Who
is Varun Chakravarthy?
à
Varun Chakravarthy is an Indian mystery spinner known for his performances in
the IPL and domestic cricket.
2. Which
IPL team does Varun Chakravarthy play for?
à
Varun Chakravarthy plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier
League (IPL).
3. What
is Varun Chakravarthy's highest wicket tally in an IPL season?
à
Varun Chakravarthy's highest wicket tally in an IPL season is 21 wickets in IPL
2024.
4. When
did Varun Chakravarthy make his international debut?
à
Varun Chakravarthy made his T20I debut for India against Sri Lanka on July 25,
2021.
5. How
did Varun Chakravarthy become a mystery spinner?
à
Varun Chakravarthy transitioned from a wicketkeeper-batsman to a mystery
spinner after facing multiple rejections in age-group cricket.
6. What
is Varun Chakravarthy’s best bowling figure in IPL?
à
Varun Chakravarthy’s best IPL bowling figure is 5/20 against Delhi Capitals in
IPL 2020.
7. How
much was Varun Chakravarthy bought for in IPL auctions?
à
In IPL 2019, Varun Chakravarthy was bought by Kings XI Punjab for ₹8.4 crores,
and in IPL 2020, KKR acquired him for ₹4 crores.
8. Has
Varun Chakravarthy played in the T20 World Cup?
à
Yes, Varun Chakravarthy represented India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
9. What
are Varun Chakravarthy’s achievements in domestic cricket?
à
Varun Chakravarthy was the leading wicket-taker for Tamil Nadu in the Vijay
Hazare Trophy 2018-19 with 22 wickets.
10. Is
Varun Chakravarthy married?
à
Yes, Varun Chakravarthy married his longtime girlfriend Neha Khedekar on
December 11, 2020.
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