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India's Champions Trophy hero Varun Chakravarthy's journey in international cricket has been marked by dramatic shifts. Following a disappointing, wicketless performance against Scotland in the November 2021 T20 World Cup, he disappeared from the Indian team, seemingly ending his international career. However, October 2024 witnessed his remarkable comeback. Upon his return to the Indian fold, Chakravarthy delivered exceptional performances, playing a key role in India's triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
Varun Chakravarthy opens up on dark times when he used to get threat calls
But India's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy tasted glory after seeing the worst of time. The star spinner has opened up about a distressing period in his career, disclosing that he received threatening phone calls following his underwhelming performance during India's 2021 T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE. He recounted receiving warnings against returning to India and revealed that he was even followed to his residence in Chennai after India's premature exit from the tournament.
Chakravarthy also expressed his belief that his international career had effectively ended when he was subsequently dropped from the national squad after the 2021 T20 World Cup. He had made his debut earlier that year in a T20I series against Sri Lanka in July and was subsequently selected for the Virat Kohli-led World Cup team.
During the tournament, Chakravarthy participated in three matches but failed to secure a single wicket. Notably, he was part of the Indian bowling attack during their devastating 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in Dubai, a match that marked India's first-ever defeat to Pakistan in a World Cup encounter.
"It was a dark time for me. I was in depression because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the World Cup with a lot of hype. I regretted not taking even one wicket. After that, for three years, I was not selected. So, I think the comeback to the team was tougher than the path to my debut. I had to change a lot about myself (after 2021). I had to change my daily routine, practice. Earlier, I used to practise 50 balls in a session, I doubled it. Without even knowing whether the selectors would recall me, it was difficult. After the third year, I thought it was all gone. We won the IPL and then I got the call-I was very happy after that," Varun said on Gobinath's YouTube show.
"I am not able to believe that all good things are happening in one go. I want to take it to the next level. I have faced setbacks, and I know how bad the criticism can be. After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. "Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to." People came up to my house, tracked me down-I had to hide at times. When I was returning from the airport, a couple of people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional. But when I look back at those things and the praise I am receiving now, I am happy," Chakravarthy added.
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Chakravarthy made a stunning comeback to Indian Team after a three-year absence, which came in October 2024. This comeback followed a period of strong performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), particularly during KKR's championship-winning season.
Upon his return, Chakravarthy displayed impressive form in India's T20I series against England, where he was adjudged the Player of the series, which earned him a spot in India's Champions Trophy squad. The spinner made a noticeable impact in Dubai, securing nine wickets across three matches, including a stunning five-wicket haul against New Zealand in a group-stage encounter.
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In the crucial semi-final against Australia, Chakravarthy took the key wicket of Travis Head, contributing to India's victory over their rivals. He continued his stellar performance in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, bagging two wickets as Rohit Sharma's team clinched their second back-to-back ICC titles on March 9. Chakravarthy, who had made his ODI debut only in January against England, described India's Champions Trophy title triumph as an 'unbelievable experience', marking a significant turnaround from his earlier struggles. After initially being benched against Bangladesh and Pakistan, he secured his place in the starting eleven.
"I think the Champions Trophy was a huge confidence booster because I played only four matches. And when I performed well in those matches, I felt I belonged and that there was a place for me. But I didn't expect this success. After playing the T20I series finale in Mumbai, I was preparing to return to Chennai. I even got the tickets for Chennai. But the next morning, I was told that I was in the one-day team too and was asked to come to Nagpur," the star spinner further stated.
"I didn't expect it. I didn't take any clothes or anything for that. I asked my family to send me stuff to Nagpur. And then I made my debut in the second ODI. Even after the third ODI in Ahmedabad, I got tickets for Chennai. But then they told me, "You're coming to Dubai for the Champions Trophy." I was not able to believe it. Then in Dubai, I didn't play the first two matches. I thought I wouldn't get a chance and was prepared to carry drinks. But in the third match, I played. It changed after that," he continued.
"Even when I was benched for the first two games, I was practising. I wanted to get some opportunity, even if it was as a substitute fielder. I was in that mindset. After the second match, Gautam Gambhir came and spoke to me. He told me to prepare with the intensity of a pre-match day but said that he was not sure if I would play the game (against New Zealand). I prepared, and then on match day, I got to know I was going to play," Chakravarthy concluded.
With his confidence bolstered by a successful return to international cricket, Chakravarthy will now shift his focus to the upcoming IPL 2025 where once again he will be seen in KKR jersey as the defending champions will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the season opener on March 22.
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