Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has shared insights into his relationship with former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and explained why captain Rohit Sharma believes he doesn’t showcase his full range of variations in the nets.
Bond with Ashwin: A Mentor and Well-Wisher
Chakravarthy and Ashwin shared the dressing room at Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL 2024 and developed a strong camaraderie. Before India’s final group-stage match against New Zealand, Ashwin had even predicted that Chakravarthy would replace Harshit Rana, which eventually turned out to be true.
Speaking about their bond, Chakravarthy acknowledged Ashwin’s support and guidance:
“Yes, I’ve spoken to him during our TNPL times. I play for his team. I do have some conversations with him at those times. And yeah, he’s been a well-wisher for me.”
Why Rohit Thinks Chakravarthy Doesn’t Bowl Variations in Nets
Ahead of India’s tournament opener against Bangladesh, Rohit had remarked that Chakravarthy doesn’t bowl a lot of variations in the nets and that he sticks to one kind of delivery against Indian batters.
Clarifying Rohit’s observation, Chakravarthy explained how he sequences his deliveries differently across formats:
“In T20s, I build my over differently. The sequencing of different balls is different. And in ODIs, it’s different. So that’s why they feel I don’t bowl all my variations, but I do.”
Overcoming Past Demons and Delivering for India
Before his match-winning 5/42 against New Zealand, Chakravarthy admitted he was nervous due to his past struggles at this venue—particularly his disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2021, where India suffered a 10-wicket loss to Pakistan.
He credited senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya for keeping him calm throughout his spell:
“Of course, during my first spell, I was a little nervous because of past experiences, emotions, and what happened in the last three years at this ground. It was playing on my mind, but Virat bhai, Rohit, and even Hardik kept telling me to calm down. Their support really helped.”
Looking Ahead
With a five-wicket haul in just his second ODI, Chakravarthy has firmly announced his arrival in India’s white-ball setup. His ability to thrive under pressure and his growing confidence make him a key weapon in India’s spin attack for the rest of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.