All about Varun Chakravarthy, the architect-turned-cricketer who claimed five wickets in 2nd India vs SA T20 match

On Sunday, India's spinner Varun Chakravarthy once again made headlines by taking five wickets for just 17 runs in the second T20I match against South Africa. In the first T20I, Chakravarthy claimed three wickets while conceding 25 runs in his four overs, helping Team India defend the target.

Chakravarthy was recalled to Team India after a three-year gap, with his last international appearance dating back to the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Reflecting on his return, he acknowledged the challenges he faced during his absence, including injuries.

"After three long years, it was definitely emotional for me. It feels nice to be back in the Blues. It feels like a rebirth. I just want to stick to the process that I have been following in the IPL, staying in the present and not overthinking," Chakravarthy said in an interview with official broadcasters.


At 33, Chakravarthy returned to the national team after missing 86 T20I matches, marking the second-highest number of missed T20Is between two appearances for India. Only Khaleel Ahmed, who missed 104 matches, has a longer gap.
Most T20Is Missed for India Between Two Appearances:

• 104: Khaleel Ahmed (2019-24)
• 86: Varun Chakravarthy (2021-24)
• 73: Sanju Samson (2015-20)
• 70: Shivam Dube (2020-23)

Who is Varun Chakravarthy?

Varun Chakravarthy is a right-arm leg-spin bowler with a unique skill set. Like Anil Kumble, S. Venkataraghavan, Erapalli Prasanna, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Javagal Srinath, and R. Ashwin, Chakravarthy also holds an engineering degree. He graduated with a B.Arch from SRM Institute of Science and Technology.

Hailing from Chennai, Chakravarthy first rose to fame as one of the top picks in the 2019 IPL Auction when Kings XI Punjab secured him with a high-value contract. His skills caught the attention of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) think tank, who signed him the following year for his mysterious bowling style and variations. The leg-spinner from Tamil Nadu initially joined KKR as a net bowler in 2018, impressing the management with his unique abilities and earning a spot on the team.