Varun Chakravarthy Talks About Death Threats

India’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, has completed full circle from the underwhelming performance of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates to the Champions Trophy 2025 triumph. He was the national side’s X-factor in the tournament.

Chakravarthy finished as the second leading wicket-taker of the event with nine scalps in three innings at an average of 15.11 and a strike rate of 20. Despite not being part of the primary squad, he replaced southpaw opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the main squad.

Varun Chakravarthy opens up on dark phase after poor T20 World Cup 2021

Varun came into the squad after an impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, he found the going tough and failed to take a single wicket after being part of the national side’s 10-wicket defeat against the arch-rivals, Pakistan.

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The mystery spinner revealed that he was in depression once the event ended, as he failed to do justice after getting into the national side. He also stated that some people chased him on bikes to his house once he landed in the country.

“It was a dark time for me. I was depressed because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the World Cup with a lot of hype. And 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.” Varun Chakravarthy expressed in a recent YouTube interaction.

“After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. People said, 'Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to. People approached my house and tracked me down, and I sometimes had to hide. When I was returning from the airport, some people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional.” He added.

Varun Chakravarthy leaks tactics to change daily routine and practice

The right-arm spinner celebrated a five-wicket haul in the Champions Trophy in Dubai against New Zealand and addressed that he had to change a lot about his game after the 2021 T20 World Cup debacle. Even in the final, he scripted the vital wicket of Will Young after the Kiwis looked set for a big total.

“I had to change a lot about myself (after 2021). I had to change my daily routine and practice. Earlier, I used to practice 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 Chakravarthy highlighted.

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“I cannot believe that all good things are happening in one go. And I want to take it to the next level. So, I have faced setbacks and know how bad the criticism can be. But when I look back at those things and the praise I am receiving now, I am happy.” Varun Chakravarthy reckoned.

Varun Chakravarthy seeks purple patch with KKR

The Tamil Nadu spinner finished the previous season of the IPL as the leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps in 14 innings at an average of just over 19 and a strike rate of 14.28, shouldering on a best bowling figure of 3/16 in an innings at an economy rate of 8.04.

He hopes to carry the same performance for the Knight Riders in the upcoming 2025 edition of the tournament. Their opening game will be against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.