Varun Chakravarthy has firmly established himself as a key figure in India’s T20I squad, especially following his significant contributions to India’s triumph at the Asia Cup 2025. Known for his mystery spin, Chakravarthy has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir.
They first worked together during the 2024 IPL season, when the Kolkata Knight Riders clinched the title. Under Gambhir’s guidance, Chakravarthy has thrived in the shortest format, becoming one of the team’s crucial wicket-takers. Despite his T20 success, opportunities in ODIs have been relatively limited, and Test cricket remains an area he has yet to explore.
Insights on ODI Preparation and Batting Improvements
On the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai, Chakravarthy spoke about the advice he received from Gambhir regarding his ODI career. He revealed that Gambhir emphasised the importance of endurance in bowling. “Basically, the conversations were around bowling longer spells. Because in T20, you maximum bowl two overs back-to-back.”
“But in ODI, you have to bowl five to six overs back-to-back, which I did work on, and I was able to do it in the Champions Trophy. Nothing much and definitely, he wants me to bat a little more up the order in the domestic circuit and improve on my batting,” Chakravarthy added. These adjustments aim to prepare Chakravarthy for success across formats, enhancing both his bowling stamina and batting contributions.
Ambitions Across Formats and Gambhir’s Influence
Varun Chakravarthy also addressed his aspirations in Test cricket, expressing openness to representing India in all formats. “It’s again selection. I would like to play every match India is playing, but it’s up to the selectors,” he stated, acknowledging that opportunities in the longer formats depend on team management decisions. Reflecting on his experience with Gambhir, he described the coach as someone who instils a fierce competitive mindset.
“I have already worked with him in the IPL, and we won that IPL, so nothing new to me because I have already been around him. But definitely one thing which I can say about him is he brings a ‘Spartan’ mentality to the team, where there is no option of losing, you just have to bring your best and give everything on the ground and later on, whatever happens, happens. But when he is around, there is no mediocrity, you can’t be mediocre in the field, that’s what I feel,” Chakravarthy explained, highlighting the intensity and discipline Gambhir demands from his players.
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