Kolkata Knight Riders Spinner on Favorite Wickets

Star spinner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Varun Chakaravarthy has admitted he enjoys getting in-form batters out, or more so, some of the best in the game. Chakaravarthy recently mentioned that he enjoys getting out the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nicholas Pooran.

#IPL #KKR

Varun Chakaravarthy said he likes to pick the wickets of in-form batters, like Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav!https://t.co/eXBGKZC08U

— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) March 31, 2025

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As a mystery spinner, Chakaravarthy is known for his ability to misdirect some of the top batters in the world with varied spin. As he goes after these high-quality players he is looking for the in-form batter who can take over a match and create havoc for KKR.

As KKR continues their season, fans will be watching to see if Chakaravarthy continues this form of in-pursuit of prized batters in the lockeroom.

When Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, not many expected Varun Chakravarthy to make such a significant impact in the Champions Trophy 2025. Picked as the fifth spinner, he surprised everyone by becoming India’s X-factor, taking nine wickets in just three matches making him the joint-highest wicket-taker.

Talking to anchor Gobinath on his YouTube channel, Varun opened up about his struggles after the 2021 T20 World Cup and how his recent success has helped him to move on and gain confidence.

"It was a tough phase for me. I went into depression because I felt I couldn’t live up to the expectations after being selected for the World Cup with so much hype," he admitted."I still can’t believe so many good things are happening simultaneously. Now, I just want to keep improving and take my game to the next level."

🚨Disgusting🚨

Varun Chakaravarthy says “After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. ‘Don’t come to India. If you try, you won’t be able to.’ People came up to my house, tracked me down—I had to hide at times.”pic.twitter.com/OvgKvh04ZD

— ICT Fan (@Delphy06) March 14, 2025

Varun opened up about how the reaction after the 2021 World Cup was more than just criticism.  "I got threat calls after the tournament. People told me, 'Don't come to India. If you try, you won’t be able to.' Some even showed up at my house and tracked me down I had to hide at times. When I was coming back from the airport, a couple of people followed me on their bikes," he shared.  

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"These things happen. I know fans are emotional. But now, when I look back, I feel happy."Varun Chakravarthy didn’t expect to be picked for the ODI series after the T20I matches in Mumbai.  

"I had already booked my tickets for Chennai. But the next morning, I got a call saying I was in the ODI squad too and needed to go to Nagpur instead," he recalled. For him, the Champions Trophy was a big confidence booster. "It made me feel like I truly belonged, that there was a place for me," he said. With IPL 2025 coming up, Chakravarthy, who will be playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, is focused on keeping his form and staying ready to get another title for KKR.

Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy praised his captain Rohit Sharma for how he kept him employed during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After taking part in India’s victorious campaign, Chakravarthy offered admiration for Rohit’s prowess, one of the greatest captains of all time.

Rohit’s Smart Captaincy Brings Out the Best in Chakravarthy

Chakravarthy cited instances of how Rohit Sharma optimally utilized his bowling capabilities at different times of the game, I bowled two overs in the Powerplay, two to three overs at the death, and was called upon whenever a wicket was needed in the middle overs. Such efficient and effective utilization of Chakravarthy’s resources lead to him achieving great results and helped the team win.

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Rohit’s Leadership Earns High Praise

Chakravarthy added that even before he attempted to tell his best bowling plan, Rohit had already anticipated it. He knew how to get the best out of me without me even saying it.

With Rohit Sharma now serving as the captain, India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 under his captaincy further solidifying the fact that he is one of the best captains in the history of cricket. The success of the campaign stemmed from him utilizing his skills to manage players and make vital moves to achieve victory.

Indian Team lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after defeating New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium. The tournament was played in a hybrid format India’s matches, including the semifinal and final, were held in Dubai, while the rest of the games took place in Pakistan across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, the ICC picked Mitchell Santner as the captain of their Team of the Tournament for his brilliant captaincy in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan, the defending champions and hosts, had a tough time in the tournament, failing to win a single game. They lost their first two matches to New Zealand and India, while their last group-stage game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain. Pakistan has a tough time in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament

1. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
   Rachin Ravindra had an outstanding tournament, scoring 251 runs at an average of 62.75, including two centuries. His brilliant performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

2. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)
   Ibrahim Zadran was Afghanistan’s standout batter, scoring 216 runs at an average of 72, including a century. Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s journey ended early after their last group-stage match against Australia was washed out.

3. Virat Kohli (India)
   Virat Kohli once again showed his class, scoring an unbeaten century against Pakistan. He finished the tournament with 218 runs at an average of 54.5.

4. Shreyas Iyer (India)
   Shreyas Iyer was solid in India’s middle order, scoring 243 runs at an average of 48.6, with two crucial fifties and helping India to win the Crucial final against New Zealand.

5. KL Rahul (wk) (India)
   KL Rahul made valuable contributions both with the bat and behind the stumps. He scored 140 runs at an incredible average of 140, with his highest score being 42*. His unbeaten knock in the final against New Zealand played a big role in India’s victory.

6. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
   Glenn Phillips was one of the best fielders in the tournament, taking five catches. He also contributed with the bat, scoring 177 runs at an average of 59, and even took two wickets.

7. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
   Azmatullah Omarzai was impressive with both bat and ball. He scored 126 runs at an average of 42 and picked up seven wickets, including a brilliant five-wicket haul.

8. Mitchell Santner (c) (New Zealand)
   Mitchell Santner was chosen as the captain after leading New Zealand to the final. He had a solid tournament with the ball, taking nine wickets at an average of 26.6 and an economy rate of 4.80.

9. Mohammed Shami (India)
   Mohammed Shami played a key role in India's bowling attack, picking up nine wickets in the tournament. He made a strong start with a five-wicket haul in India's opening match against Bangladesh.

10. Matt Henry (New Zealand)
    Matt Henry was one of the standout bowlers of the tournament, taking 10 wickets at an average of 16.7 with an economy of 5.32. Unfortunately, he was ruled out of the final beacuse of injury.

11. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)
    Varun Chakaravarthy was one of the brilliant spinners in the tournament. He picked up nine wickets at an average of 15.1 while keeping his economy rate at just 4.53.

    12: Axar Patel (India)
          Axar Patel was among the top all-rounders in the tournament. He took five wickets at an average of 39.2 with an economy of 4.35. He also made valuable                contributions with the bat, scoring 109 runs, including a crucial 29-run knock in the final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

ICC squad of Champions Trophy

Rachin Ravindra, Ibrahim Zadran, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Glenn Phillips, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mitchell Santner (c), Mohammed Shami, Matt Henry, Varun Chakaravarthy, 12th player: Axar Patel

Chakravathy’s Incredible Breakthrough

A very important turning point in the game was the dismissal of Glenn Phillips’s wicket. Phillips had been making an attempt to up the run rate during Chakravarthy’s over. As he attempted to do so, Chakravarthy outsmarted him with his delivery and Phillips was forced to get out at a crucial point of the game.

VARUN DOMINATING CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025 📢 pic.twitter.com/gL5Denhf1g

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 9, 2025

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Live Score Update

As per the latest update, New Zealand’s innings are standing at 175 runs with 5 losses after 41 overs. Daryl Mitchell is very carefully batting at 49 and has Michael Bracewell supporting him. Even with India’s amazing yet aggressive bowling style, New Zealand is attempting to get a solid total.

Chakravarthy’s incredible performance serves to remind us of the importance of strategic bowling in high-pressure contexts and continues to motivate India’s aspiration for other trophies.

New Zealand is working on a spin to beat India. They believe India might take advantage of their plan when they meet in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday. A net bowler has even shared some details about their plans. India started using four spinners from their third group-stage match, which was against New Zealand. In that game, New Zealand struggled against spin, scoring only 205 while chasing India’s 249, and eventually, they were short under pressure.

They are ready for the challenge, New Zealand's batters are putting in extra work to improve against spin, as net bowler Shashwat Tiwari told ANI. He shared that the New Zealand players are aware of how dangerous India’s spinners can be, especially since they played a big role in India's wins over New Zealand in the group stage and Australia in the semi-finals. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was particularly impressive in both matches, taking seven wickets in those two games, including a five-wicket haul (5 for 42) against New Zealand in the Group-stage match.  

"They are practicing against left-arm spinners,", "I wouldn’t say they are struggling, but India has world-class spinners, and it won’t be easy for them to handle," Tiwari told ANI.

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India has a strong spin attack with experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, along with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav as their left-arm spinners. Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar add more depth to the spin department.  

Net bowler Shashwat Tiwari said that, "I was lucky to get a chance to bowl in the nets today. At one point, one of their batters (name not mentioned) asked me to bowl from 18 yards instead of the usual 22 to prepare for Ravindra Jadeja’s pace. He expected the ball to come that fast. We bowled from that distance, and it went well. But when he found the ball was coming too quickly, he asked me to switch back to 22 yards."  

India won all Group A matches and they topped the table, winning all three matches, and then defeated Australia by four wickets in the semifinal. Meanwhile, New Zealand reached the final aftera win over South Africa.

Travis Head has the major luck factor which every modern day cricketer is aching for, it doesn't mean that he doesn't posses any talent or whatsoever he is a great typical left hand batsman who can change the course of the game with his aggressivs batting. The luck factor is that if that person goes out early minimum the damage is but if he survives in any of instances that means he will take away the game completely from your side. 

That type of power possesses Travis Head it's natural for an opener that requires some balls to settle down if he has caught or bowled in that period you have done some damage otherwise the time is gone same thing happened in this game. 

Travis Head Attracts The Luck Factor

The Champions Trophy semi-final began with a bang when Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and chose to bat first avoiding the risk of chasing on a spin-friendly track. Australian openers Cooper Connolly and Travis Head started the proceedings and it was Shami who was with the new ball. It was the third ball of the innings when Travis Head tried to duck the ball which went straight back to Shami as a reflection catch but within the follow-through, he dropped the catch and it, was complete silence in the stadium. 

Read More: Does Steve Smith Have Any Special Message For India Ahead Of Their Semi Final Clash

It was the second time Travis Head had acquired a huge advantage before that same incident happened 2 years back where Jasprit Bumrah's ball missed the bail clip by a whisker and he went on unbeaten and chased the target for Australia where India's aim of winning the third world Cup was destroyed. Even this time too he utilised the opportunity and counter-attacked by hitting fours and sixes everyone had the same intention when would be the next opportunity. 

Read More: Travis Head Luck Factor Against India Continues As Shami Drops A Sitter

Varun Chakravarthy once again showcased his class.

Soon in the 5th over Jadeja got a chance to run out the dangerous batsman , Head tickled the ball to off side and attempted a single and the ball reached Jadeja who is considered as India's best fielders. He throwed the ball and it also missed the stumps by slight inch it was such a close call if it would have hit the stumps Head would have been walking to stands. It was two chances and now he was almost setteled. 

Travis Head gone😭❤️‍🔥😭❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/RnKTaMjtEO

— Kuljot (@Ro45Kuljot) March 4, 2025

But it was Varun Chakravarthy who came to the rescue it was the 8th over of the match and Chakravarthy came to bowl where two of his balls were dots and in his third ball Travis Head tried to the shot on the off side where the ball travelled the distance at a height not covering the distance and beneath under it was Subhman Gill who completed the catch the biggest headache for India was departed on 39 runs. Ravi Ashwin's prediction became true when he suggested that gto ive the new ball to Varun he would do the damage. 

Varun Chakravarthy is in a hail of praises for an exceptional spell against New Zealand in their last group game of the Champions Trophy. When others are hailing his performance how can another co-Tamilnadu player will stop? It's Ashwin the former Indian spinner who just can't hide his praises for him. He went on to say that Varun has strong adaptability in reading the batsman's mind. 

I am really happy that he has delivered for the team when required the most. It was crucial time for India when they were bundled with a score of 249/9 even New Zealand was considered as most balanced side and the chase would be easy for New Zealand. 

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He is the X factor for the team.

But between them came Varun Chakravarthy who dismantled the openers and continuesly took wickets in regular time then coming back into the game was difficult task for New Zealand and India won the match by 44 runs. In the same Ashwin too narrated a story related to IPL when he was appointed as Punjab Kings captain and that year Varun Chakravarthy was bought by Punjab team. 

He said he couldn't play a single play due to his shoulder injury which was unfortunate for him to have a guy who is most useful but can't be utilised due to injury. Seriously it was my bad luck or I was not fortunate enough. If would have been available at that season it would be really helpful for me and the team. But now it's all about the past which cannot be changed. 

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He is equally important as Bumrah. 

Ashwin went on to praise team captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir who decided to play Chakravarthy against New Zealand. I had a thought he would be playing that day and my assumption was correct. He bowled brilliantly that day on the flight in the air and the nostalgia of reading the better mind what he is trying to do. He has highlighted that he can be the X factor of the team. He has compared Varun and Bumrah same contradiction where batters can't read their bowling. 

To avoid controversy he has highlighted that he not comparing Bumrah and chakravarthy just depicting their presence of both how cautious the batters are, Just like in semi give the new ball to him to dismiss Travis Head he will toss off the ball while Travis shows his three stumps he tries to attempt a lofted shot and may lose his wicket. 

Varun Chakravarthy and India crooned a redemption song on Sunday in Dubai, driving out the specters of the T20 World Cup 2021 by employing spin to tear New Zealand apart in their Group A encounter of the Champions Trophy 2025.

It was a battle between different styles, but India's four-spinner battalion overpowered New Zealand's pace-dominated style on a slow-wicket strip at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India scored 249 runs in total, of which 124 came against New Zealand's spinners during 25 overs for losing only two wickets. They then defended the par score, courtesy of an awe-inspiring vice-like grip by their spinners. Prompted into the Champions Trophy team at the eleventh hour and given a spot in the XI for India's third Group A match, Varun Chakravarthy played a masterclass of spin bowling. The BlackCaps had no response to his magic, as he grabbed his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals, rising to the occasion for India at the right time.

TAKE A BOW, VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY. 🙇

He's playing first Match in this Champions Trophy and he picked 5 wicket haul, his bowling figure (42/5) against New Zealand - What a Bowler. pic.twitter.com/eTK02eL5yk

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 2, 2025

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Varun Chakravarthy, who was an architect by profession before venturing into the cricketing arena, was wicketless in three matches played during the 2021 T20 World Cup, after which he was inactive for three years. But ever since he joined the senior national team in 2024, there has been no looking back for him.

Having picked up 31 wickets in 12 games in his second phase of T20I cricket, starting in 2024, Varun was added to India's Champions Trophy team. His head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had seen him perform firsthand at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, was instrumental in his surprise call-up for the big tournament -- one that was a masterstroke on the grand stage.

Varun was given his ODI debut in a series against England in February but sat on the bench for India's Group A encounters against Bangladesh and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.

India already securing a spot in the semifinals, and the Indian team is expected to make a few changes for their match against New Zealand. Reports said that Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav might be rested for today's match, with Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy likely to replace them.

India Likely to Rest Key Players Against New Zealand, Arshdeep & Varun to Get a Chance

Since India has already qualified for the semifinals, the Indian team might use this match to try out Arshdeep & Varun Chakravarthy players and their main bowlers Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav a break before the semifinals. Shami and Kuldeep have been important for India’s bowling, so the Indian team is resting them could help keep them fresh for the semifinals.

🚨 ARSHDEEP & VARUN WILL PLAY vs NEW ZEALAND 🚨

- Mohammed Shami & Kuldeep Yadav likely rested in today's match, Arshdeep Singh & Varun Chakravarthy likely replaced them. (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/WyVN4IqB0Q

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 2, 2025

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For Arshdeep and Varun, this is a golden opportunity to show their skills and performances in this match. Arshdeep has been effective with the new ball swing and in the death overs with yorkers, while Varun’s mystery spin could strengthen the bowling attack. With these changes, it will be interesting to see how India will play this match against New Zealand.