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.

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."