Varun Chakravarthy Complete Biography
Personal Details
- Full Name: Varun Chakravarthy Vinod
- Birth Date: 29 August 1991
- Place of Birth: Bidar, Karnataka, India
- City of Residence: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Citizenship: Indian
- Height: 5’9” (175 cm)
- Professional Role: Bowler
- Innings Style: Right Handed
- Bowling: Right-arm leg spinner also known as a mystery spinner.
- Associated Teams: India, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Tamil Nadu, Kings XI Punjab
Childhood and Schooling
Chakravarthy was born in Karnataka, but his brought up was in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, He attended St. Patrick’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai, and later studied Architecture at SRM University.
Varun always wanted to be a wicketkeeper-batsman, but soon turned to bowling. Ever since he struggled to score runs as a batsman while first class, he was left with no option. Chakravarthy worked as an Architect for some time before switching to a professional cricket career at 25 years of age.
Domestic and T20 Career
Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL)
His big break was in the 2018 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) while representing Siechem Madurai Panthers. His mystery spin made him the talk of the town and garned interests from other IPL franchises, further aspiring to him.
The Journey of Indian Premier League (IPL)
Kings XI Punjab squad as he made just a match in 2019 due to injury after being purchased for ₹8.4 crore. This is a carrot which now he has in his hands and is settling in himself in the tournament after KKR signed him and automatically made him the lead spinner.
A dazzling five-wicket haul (5/20) against Delhi Capitals made him the best of a tournament till then. He was the top wicket taker for KKR in the 2021 season, taking 18 wickets to help KKR make it to the finals.
He continued to frustrate batsmen with his variations, but inconsistent performance saw him become more of a KKR bowler in 2022 – 2023 seasons.
International Career
He was crucial against Sri Lanka on July 25, 2021 when he marked his debut T20I.
His mystery spin eventually earned a call-up to the Indian squad for the Twenty World Cup in 2021.
His injuries and his form did not help either and he struggled while playing a few of the T20I.
Bowling Style & Strengths
He is hugely popular in T20 cricket as a “mystery spinner” owing to his full variety of deliveries:
✔ Off break
✔ Leg break
✔ Flipper
✔ Googly
✔ Top spin
✔ Carrom ball
His skill set as a bowler is so important in T20 format cricket.
Interesting Facts
- He was once a professional architect before switching to cricket.
- He is a fan of Ajantha Mendis and Sunil Narine.
- And played tennis-ball cricket, a nursery of sorts for professional leagues.
- Came back to the game after missing time with a knee injury that nearly ended his career.