Varun Chakravarthy Joins Elite Club With Five-Wicket Haul Against South Africa

The second T20I between India and South Africa on November 10 at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha brought Varun Chakravarthy to the spotlight. The star Indian spinner delivered a stellar performance, claiming five wickets for just 17 runs in his allotted four overs. Despite his impressive effort, India could not defend the modest target of 125, ultimately losing the match by three wickets.

Varun Chakravarthy’s Standout Bowling Performance

Varun Chakravarthy, known for his mystery spin, came through as India’s key weapon in this match. His figures of 5/17 in four overs displayed his skill in T20 cricket, where each delivery counts. Chakravarthy’s precise line and length, coupled with his deceptive variations, kept the South African batters on their toes. His maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is is now one of the most remarkable performances by an Indian spinner.

With his five-wicket performance, Chakravarthy joined the ranks of elite Indian bowlers who have achieved five-wicket hauls in T20Is. Only a few bowlers, including Kuldeep Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, have managed this feat against South Africa.

Comparing Chakravarthy’s Haul to Other Indian Records

Varun Chakravarthy’s 5/17 figures now stand as the second-best for an Indian spinner in T20I history, only behind Yuzvendra Chahal’s remarkable 6/25 against England in 2017. This statistic alone highlights how rare and significant Chakravarthy’s performance was in the context of T20 cricket.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the first Indian to achieve a five-wicket haul against South Africa in a T20I back in 2018. He achieved 5/24 in Johannesburg, setting a benchmark that remained unchallenged until Kuldeep Yadav’s 2023 performance and now Chakravarthy’s recent achievement.

In December 2023, Kuldeep Yadav equaled Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s record by picking up five wickets for just 17 runs. Kuldeep’s performance demonstrated the effectiveness of spin in subduing South Africa’s batting order, setting the stage for Chakravarthy’s success a year later.

Historically, Indian bowlers have had notable individual performances that still ended in defeat, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/13 against South Africa in 2022 and Ravi Bishnoi’s 4/13 against Zimbabwe in 2024. These instances highlight the challenges bowlers face when defending low totals.

South Africa’s batting lineup, led by Tristan Stubbs with a steady 47 off 41 balls, ultimately saw them chase down India’s total in 19 overs. Stubbs and the South African batsmen displayed patience, handling Chakravarthy’s spin while capitalizing on other bowlers to secure a three-wicket win.

Best bowling figures for India vs SA in T20Is

• 5/17 in 2.5 overs by Kuldeep Yadav in Johannesburg, 2023
• 5/17 in 4 overs by Varun Chakravarthy in Gqeberha, 2024
• 5/24 in 4 overs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in Johannesburg, 2018
• 4/13 in 4 overs by RP Singh in Durban, 2007
• 4/13 in 4 overs by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in Cuttack, 2022