New Delhi, Mar 12: Varun Chakravarthy has showcased his ability to reinvent himself, rising from early doubts to become one of India’s leading T20 bowlers. After failing to take wickets in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, he was out of national plans for 1,064 days, working with coach AC Prathiban to transform his bowling style. Switching from sidespin to overspin, improving his googly, and increasing ball pace, Chakravarthy rebuilt his arsenal to become more effective and unpredictable.
His comeback began with the 2024 IPL season, leading to national selection. He delivered key performances in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, reaching a career-high ICC T20I ranking of 818 points by December 2025, making him India’s top-ranked T20I bowler.
During the 2026 T20 World Cup, he dominated the group stage, taking nine wickets in four matches with an economy of 5.17. Highlights included 3 for 7 against Namibia and 2 for 17 against Pakistan on slow pitches, establishing him as India’s vital spin option.
However, in the Super 8 stage, opposition batters adjusted to his style. Left-handers targeted his overs, resulting in a sharp decline in performance. Over five matches, he claimed only five wickets at an economy of 11.84, including 64 runs conceded in four overs against England in the semifinals one of the most expensive spells in T20 World Cup history. Despite rumors of replacement, captain Suryakumar Yadav backed him, and Chakravarthy contributed to India’s final victory over New Zealand.
He ended the tournament with 14 wickets, tying with Jasprit Bumrah as the leading wicket taker among full member nation bowlers. Analysts note that while his group stage brilliance was vital, his Super 8 struggles revealed vulnerabilities against aggressive batting, raising questions about his role in future formats as he nears 35 and India plans to rely on Kuldeep Yadav for the upcoming ODI World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Chakravarthy’s journey underscores the challenges of adaptation in modern T20 cricket balancing reinvention, consistency, and the pressures of international competition.