Cricket

Varun Chakravarthy's journey in international cricket has been a rollercoaster ride. After a brief stint with the Indian team in 2021, he found himself out of favor and struggling to regain his place. However, through sheer determination and a willingness to reinvent himself, Chakravarthy has emerged as a formidable force in the Indian T20I setup.In 2023, Chakravarthy underwent a transformation in his bowling style. He abandoned his sidespin technique and embraced overspin, which gave him greater bite and accuracy. This change proved to be a masterstroke, as he finished the IPL season with 20 wickets and was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders' title triumph.His impressive IPL form earned him a recall to the Indian team for the T20I series against Bangladesh. In his first match back, he snared three wickets, and he continued to impress in subsequent games. Chakravarthy's ability to take wickets at crucial junctures has made him a valuable asset to the Indian team.In the recent T20I series against South Africa, Chakravarthy was the standout performer. He finished with ten wickets in four matches, including a five-wicket haul in the second game. His performances have not only solidified his place in the Indian team but have also made him a contender for a spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad.Chakravarthy's success is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Despite setbacks and criticism, he has persevered and emerged as one of the most effective T20I bowlers in the world. His journey is an inspiration to all aspiring cricketers, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Varun Chakravarthy's mesmerizing performance in the second T20I against South Africa has reignited calls for his inclusion in India's squad for next year's ICC Champions Trophy. The mystery spinner bamboozled the Proteas batters, claiming 5 of the 7 wickets that fell in the match.Chakravarthy's magical spell kept India in the hunt for a win despite defending a paltry score of 124. His former Kolkata Knight Riders teammate Dinesh Karthik took to social media to advocate for the spinner's selection, stating that "India would be making a grave error" if they overlooked him for the Champions Trophy.India captain Suryakumar Yadav also heaped praise on Chakravarthy, calling his performance "incredible" and "brilliant." However, the selection committee faces a dilemma as Chakravarthy has yet to make his ODI debut. Throwing an uncapped bowler into a tournament as prestigious as the Champions Trophy may not be the most prudent decision.Despite his lack of ODI experience, Chakravarthy's exceptional skills in the shortest format cannot be ignored. His ability to deceive batters with his variations and control makes him a valuable asset in T20 cricket.If India decides to take a risk and include Chakravarthy in their Champions Trophy squad, they will have a potent weapon at their disposal. His ability to bowl economically and take wickets at crucial moments could prove invaluable in the high-pressure environment of the tournament.However, the selection committee must carefully weigh the pros and cons of selecting an uncapped player for such a significant event. They will need to consider Chakravarthy's ability to adapt to the longer format and the potential impact of the pressure on his performance.Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include Chakravarthy in the Champions Trophy squad will rest with the selectors. But if his performance in the T20I series against South Africa is any indication, he has the potential to be a game-changer for India in the upcoming tournament.

Afghanistan's young spin sensation, Allah Ghazanfar, etched his name in cricket history with a remarkable six-wicket haul that propelled his team to a resounding 92-run victory over Bangladesh in the first ODI encounter in Sharjah.The 18-year-old mystery spinner, who began his cricketing journey as a fast bowler, showcased his exceptional talent by dismantling Bangladesh's batting lineup. His figures of 6 for 26 in 6.3 overs proved decisive as Bangladesh collapsed from a promising 132/3 to a disappointing 143 all out while chasing a target of 236 runs.Ghazanfar's performance marked the best bowling figures in an Afghanistan-Bangladesh ODI match, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan's 5-29 at Southampton in 2019. His brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award, further cementing his status as a rising star in international cricket.Ghazanfar's journey to the top has been marked by hard work and determination. After being converted into a spinner by former Afghanistan skipper Dawlat Ahmadzai, he made a name for himself with his impressive showing during the 2024 U-19 World Cup, where he claimed eight wickets in four matches.His performances at the youth level earned him a senior team call-up, and he made his ODI debut against Ireland. He continued to impress, winning the Player of the Match award in the Emerging Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka A as Afghanistan clinched the title.Ghazanfar's talent has also caught the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who added him to their squad as a replacement for Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Although he did not play any matches for KKR in the 2024 campaign, his inclusion in the squad is a testament to his potential.Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised Ghazanfar's performance, saying, "He is a special talent and has a good future for Afghanistan. He bowled well in the first spell, but he bowled that no-ball and I asked him why did he bowl a no-ball (laughs). I am very happy with the options we have on the bench."Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain rued his team's batting slump, acknowledging that his own dismissal played a crucial role in the defeat. "I think my wicket turned the match," said Najmul. "I was the set batsman so when I got out we needed to bat longer but credit to Afghanistan spinners for the way they bowled."

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has attributed his successful India comeback to a technical shift in his bowling style, emphasizing the importance of over-spin over side-spin. The 33-year-old, who made an underwhelming debut in the 2021 T20 World Cup, has since honed his craft, taking three wickets against Bangladesh in the series opener.Chakravarthy's over-spin technique, similar to that of Australian great Nathan Lyon, generates sharp bounce and turn, as evidenced by his dismissal of Jaker Ali with a deceptive googly. "I used to be a side-spin bowler, but right now, I have completely shifted to being an over-spin bowler," Chakravarthy explained. "It's a minute technical aspect of spin bowling, but it took me more than two years."Despite impressive performances in the IPL and domestic cricket, Chakravarthy had to wait patiently for his India recall. The hunger to prove himself fueled his determination. "Whenever there was a squad that was announced, I used to feel like, 'Why is my name not there?' and I used to keep thinking about that," he said. "So that kind of brought the motivation within me that I should not leave this."In the series opener, Chakravarthy conceded 15 runs in his first over, but skipper Suryakumar Yadav showed faith in him, and he responded by dismissing Towhid Hridoy in the following over. "Yes, in the first over the catch could have gone my way, but that's how T20s are played," Chakravarthy said. "I felt the reverse-sweep six was a good ball but it still went for a six, so it's all mixed emotions."Chakravarthy's return to the Indian team highlights the depth of India's spin bowling resources, with leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi also performing well in limited opportunities. "There is good competition and there is good camaraderie also," Chakravarthy acknowledged. "And the person who was cheering me was Ravi Bishnoi; he was coming and telling me messages, so I can't ask for more."

Varun Chakravarthy's remarkable return to the Indian team was marked by a stellar performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior. After a three-year absence, the mystery spinner played a pivotal role in India's crushing seven-wicket victory, claiming three wickets for 31 runs.Chakravarthy's comeback was an emotional moment for the 31-year-old, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country once again. "It was definitely emotional for me, and it feels nice to be back in the Blues, it feels like a rebirth," he said.The spinner's journey back to the national team has been marked by challenges and perseverance. After being dropped from the Indian side in November 2021, Chakravarthy faced criticism and doubts about his ability to return to the highest level. However, he remained determined to prove his worth.In the past year, Chakravarthy has enjoyed great success at the domestic level. He was the highest wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 IPL, finishing with 21 wickets in 14 innings. He also played a key role in Dindigul Dragons' victory in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, taking 12 wickets in the tournament.Chakravarthy credits his recent success to the hard work he put in during the TNPL. "That's a place where I worked a lot, with Ash bhai [Ashwin]. We won the competition also, and that gave me the confidence here, because it was good preparation for me for this series," he said.In the first T20I against Bangladesh, Chakravarthy was introduced into the attack in the fifth over. He immediately made an impact, dismissing Towhid Hridoy in his second over. He followed that up with the wickets of Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain, bamboozling the batters with his variations.Despite his impressive performance, Chakravarthy was disappointed with a dropped catch that could have given him a fourth wicket. However, he remained composed and focused on his task. "I thought it could have gone my way, but I can't complain," he said.Chakravarthy's return to form is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has overcome adversity to reclaim his place in the Indian team, and his performance in the first T20I suggests that he is ready to make a significant contribution to the side's success.

The Barbados Royals have bolstered their squad for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season by retaining Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, despite his absence from last year's tournament. Theekshana, 23, has yet to make his CPL debut, having been unable to secure a no-objection certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket two years ago and facing a schedule clash with the Asia Cup last year.Despite his unavailability, Theekshana's impressive record in T20 cricket, with 150 wickets in 145 matches at an economy rate of 6.68, has convinced the Royals to retain him for the 2024 edition. The Royals finished second from bottom in the 2023 CPL, winning only three of their ten matches. However, they have strengthened their squad significantly for this year's tournament, which runs from August 30 to October 7.The Royals have welcomed back key players Quinton de Kock and David Miller, who were absent last year. They have also added South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who represented the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL earlier this year. West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell provides further strength in the middle order, while Jason Holder offers all-round capabilities.Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq is a new signing for the Royals, returning to the CPL for the first time in three years. He brings a wealth of experience, having taken 220 wickets in T20 cricket. The Royals have confirmed 14 players on their roster, leaving them with three spots to fill at the CPL draft in July.Other notable members of the squad include the highly-rated Alick Athanaze, the hard-hitting Rahkeem Cornwall, and slower-ball specialist Obed McCoy. With a strong mix of experience and emerging talent, the Barbados Royals will be aiming to improve on their disappointing performance last year and challenge for the CPL title in 2024.