Brief
In a thrilling resurgence, the enigmatic spinner Varun Chakravarthy has made an electrifying return to India’s T20I team, an event that reverberates with anticipation as he steps onto the field for the first match against Bangladesh after a staggering three-year hiatus. His last appearance in the international arena dates back to the 2021 T20 World Cup held in the UAE, a time when his prowess began to flicker amidst injuries and the rise of a new generation of spin talent. Now, after a period of introspection and struggle, he is back, a comeback spurred largely by his dazzling performances during the IPL 2024, where he finagled his way to the second spot among the league’s highest wicket-takers.
At the age of 33, Chakravarthy has endured an extensive layoff, having missed a remarkable 86 matches since his last T20I foray, placing him second on the list for the most T20Is missed between two appearances for India. The only player eclipsing him in this disheartening statistic is Khaleel Ahmed, who has been off the field for 104 matches.
Most T20Is missed between two appearances (India)
- 104: Khaleel Ahmed (2019-24)
- 86: Varun Chakravarthy (2021-24)
- 73: Sanju Samson (2015-20)
- 70: Shivam Dube (2020-23)
Chakravarthy’s ascent to prominence is nothing short of cinematic. His breakthrough came in the 2020 IPL while donning the colors of the Kolkata Knight Riders, where an eye-popping five-wicket haul against the Delhi Capitals catapulted him into the national spotlight. Yet, his international journey initially veered off course, with a mere two wickets to show from six outings, and a daunting average indicating the challenges he faced.
Fast forward to the 2024 IPL season—Chakravarthy emerged as a linchpin for KKR, bagging 21 wickets with an economy rate of 8.04. His stellar contributions were instrumental in securing KKR’s first title since 2014, repositioning him firmly in the national selectors’ sights. The remarkable ability to wreak havoc on otherwise placid batting surfaces, frequently yielding team totals over 200, has emphasized his value as a significant playing asset.
Reflecting on his tumultuous journey earlier this year, Chakravarthy candidly acknowledged the emotional toll of being sidelined. “That’s how life is; it is unfair. It was very hard on me,” he admitted, revealing the depth of his struggles with injuries and his eventual drive for redemption, culminating in this long-awaited return to the green fields of international cricket.
IND vs BAN PLAYING XIS
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Litton Das (w), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Nitish Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav
Published By: Saurabh Kumar
Published On: Oct 6, 2024
Tune In
