Varun Chakravarthy, known as one of the most challenging spinners in the Indian cricket scene, earned swift entry into the national team on the back of his stellar displays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Despite high hopes pinned on him to be a game-changer for India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Varun’s performance fell short of expectations, sidelining him from national selection thereafter.
Subsequent IPL seasons saw a decline in his form, compounded by frustration over persistent speculations regarding his fitness.
In a candid interview, Varun addressed these rumours, expressing irritation at their exaggeration and hinting at potential sabotage aimed at his exclusion from the national squad. Despite his earnest desire to represent India once more, he has resigned himself to the reality of being overlooked, harbouring no lingering expectations of a recall.
Varun Chakravarthy said: “It was very tough because right after I finished the World Cup, it was not a big injury; it was a very small injury. It just took me two or three weeks to be back on track, but after that, I got sidelined, and people kept giving the same excuse that I am injured, but on the other hand, I was not injured all that while. I don’t know, [if] it was just a rumour, or someone just wanting to spread this news about me so that they can sideline me. But that’s how life is; it is unfair. It was very hard on me.”
“IPL 2022 was not a great season because what happened in 2021 after the World Cup got within me, and I was very desperate to be back in the Indian side. So I wanted to prove to everyone. I was being very desperate. I started changing many things in my bowling, which finally affected my mental peace, and I was not able to do my normal bowling also. So that IPL was bad for me.”
Since his last appearance for India in November 2021, Varun Chakravarthy has found himself sidelined from consideration across all formats, reflecting on a journey marked by highs and lows in the relentless pursuit of national recognition.
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