Varun Chakravarthy Surpasses Ashwin’s Record To Set New T20I Milestone For India

Varun Chakravarthy has carved his name into the records of Indian cricket, achieving the most wickets in a single bilateral T20I series by an Indian bowler. The off-spinner reached this landmark during the third T20I match against South Africa, surpassing past record-holders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi.

Overview of Varun Chakravarthy’s Record-Breaking Feat

Chakravarthy’s journey to become the highest wicket-taker in a bilateral T20I series for India was an impressive one. In three games, he managed to bag a total of 10 wickets, making him the first Indian to achieve this milestone.

Before Chakravarthy’s remarkable achievement, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi held the record with nine wickets each. Ashwin had established the record in a home series against Sri Lanka back in 2016 with a sensational economy rate of 3.18. Bishnoi matched Ashwin’s record last year against a strong opponent lineup, capturing nine wickets over five games at an economy rate of 8.20.

Achieving double-digit wickets in a T20I series is a rare accomplishment, especially given the shorter format of the game. Chakravarthy became the first Indian bowler to cross this threshold in a bilateral series, a feat only accomplished by 15 other international bowlers globally.

Chakravarthy also became the 16th spinner to take 10 or more wickets in a bilateral T20I series. The others are Ish Sodhi (New Zealand), Charles Hinze (Japan), Hayden Walsh Jr (West Indies), Sandeep Lamichanne (Nepal), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Mitchell Santner (New Zealand), Moazzam Ali Baig (Malawi), Sylvester Okpe (Nigeria), Jose Bulele (Mozambique), Emile Rukiriza (Rwanda), Shadab Khan (Pakistan), Pavandeep Singh (Malaysia), Ajaz Patel (New Zealand), Vraj Patel (Kenya) and Lorne Burns (Spain).

Chakravarthy’s Performances in the Series

In the first T20I at Kingsmead, Durban, Chakravarthy laid the foundation with three wickets, giving India an early edge in the series. At St George’s Park, Chakravarthy was in his best form, delivering a remarkable spell of five wickets for just 17 runs. This performance set him apart as a game-changer and was instrumental in India clinching the win. His five-wicket haul underscored his mastery over the spin, variations, and skillful reading of the game.

In the final match at SuperSport Park, Chakravarthy continued his stellar form, taking two critical wickets, including that of Aiden Markram, which allowed him to break the record for the most wickets in a single series.

With this record under his belt, Varun Chakravarthy is likely to be a mainstay in India’s T20 squad for years to come. His mastery in handling pressure and consistently delivering key performances points to a promising future for him in Indian cricket.

Chakravarthy’s achievement brings him into comparison with other leading T20 spinners, emphasizing India’s growing influence in the world of spin bowling. His success serves as an inspiration for younger players aspiring to reach similar heights.