Latest news with #VarunChakaravarthy
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
You can never achieve perfection but that's the only thing that will keep you running: Varun
Ever since his return to the national team in October 2024, Varun Chakaravarthy has been on a purple patch. The 33-year-old has quickly become India's strike bowler in T20Is and could be a key cog in the Men in Blue's title-defence campaign in next year's T20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka. Earlier this year, the mystery spinner also demonstrated his prowess in the ODI format as well and played a key part in India's Champions Trophy triumph. After another productive IPL season where he took 17 wickets, Varun is back in the TNPL, trying out new variations to stay ahead of the batter. In a chat with The Hindu, Varun spoke about his form, the three-year struggle to get back his place in the national team, and more. Excerpts: It has been a tremendous last year for you. How do you see this phase of your career, and do you feel you are at the peak of your form? Nothing but gratitude for the people who stood by me and helped me. So I'd like to thank all of them. In another six or seven months, I might reach my peak. Still, there's more work to be done, which is what I'm trying to work on in this TNPL so that I can try some new things. If I get one more (variation), which I am trying, I will be very happy. You had another successful season in the IPL, taking the most wickets for KKR. It was also the first time you came into an IPL after playing a lot of international cricket. How was it in terms of your game and also your workload? Regarding the workload, not much, but just the mental aspect of it. I played the full domestic season, and I was at home for probably just 10 days over the last seven months. Other than that, it's fine and I can't complain at all. I love what's coming my way and I have to take it with both hands. It wasn't tough in the IPL, I feel IPL can sometimes be tougher than international cricket. However, it gets tougher when you play domestic cricket, as sometimes the fatigue sets in. I train three to four times a week nowadays, which helps keep my body fit. For the last seven months, I have been playing continuous cricket, and thankfully, I have no injuries. I'm used to the schedule now, and I feel that by the time the next T20 World Cup comes, I will be even fitter. So, I am ready for the challenges. Can you discuss the effort you've put into your fitness? You started late and weren't the fittest or most agile cricketer, but you seem to have gotten better. Yeah, it was a holistic approach. First thing, I had to cut down on my unwanted food-eating habits. So nutrition was the most important thing, and then hitting the gym three or four times a week. I have not trained with a single person so far, because every team has had a different trainer. I had to find my way through, which was challenging, but I was able to do it. I know what works for me and what doesn't, so I communicate with them and take it forward. I am also running constantly, so if I get a two or three-day break between matches, I make sure to run on one of those days. It's more about making my lifestyle as a cricketer, rather than just doing it as practice time. How was it being part of the Champions Trophy-winning squad, and you played your part in the triumph as well? Yeah, it's the biggest blessing, I think, that I've got for whatever I had to go through in the last three years when I was not recognised. Once I was dropped from the team, I felt that I had put in too much work, but I didn't have a clear direction. I have to give credit where it's due - definitely to GG sir (Gautam Gambhir) and the captains, who backed me. I performed well in the T20 series, and then I was introduced to the ODI setup. Rohit Sharma also played a role in getting me into the team. It just felt like life came full circle at that same venue. I just wish I could turn up like that for the country again and again and keep making everyone proud. You were seen as a largely T20 bowler, so how did you find the transition to ODI cricket? I have always done well in the 50-over format for TN. In the three seasons I've played in the Vijay Hazare, I've always been among the top two highest wicket takers in the country, so it has always gone well for me. So, one-day cricket was never a doubt for me. I always knew that I could do it. I know that once the ball softens and becomes rougher, I can get more grip and turn, and if the batters miss it, I can take wickets. In T20, you don't get time to set up a batter, but in ODI, I get that. I can bowl five incoming deliveries, and one away, or four outgoing deliveries, and one in. I can't do that in T20, because I will get predictable. You are largely self-taught in the sense that you didn't go through the rigours of age-group cricket and more systemic coaching. How did it help or affect your ability to make a comeback? Yes, because I started everything by myself, even now, the thinking part and the direction part are where I have to be involved; everything I do is on my own. When I needed help, I did fall back on A.C. Prathiban and, obviously, Abhishek Nayar, who has been my mentor and helps me with the mental aspect of it. But other than this, the key decisions I take. If I have to develop variations or not, I take all those things into consideration. I put it in front of my coach, AC (Prathiban), and he gets to see if it's working or not, so that's how our partnership has been. My mind is always working around the clock to improve. Even here in TNPL, I've come to try certain variations. What is the key to the success of being a mystery spinner, and how to stay ahead of the batter? I think it's mainly about the sequencing of the deliveries. I can bowl three away going and one incoming, or one straight, two incomings, one away going. It's about how I'm mixing up, how I'm sequencing the ball. The skill is there, but how you use it is the main thing, because there are many people with the skill. You must be highly accurate in all those deliveries. I know that I have to be perfect. However, the fact is that perfection is an illusion (maya). You can never achieve perfection, but that's the only thing that will keep you running; you will never be satisfied, so it is a double-edged sword. That's how it works, too. Even though I know I won't be perfect at all, I keep chasing it. From your breakthrough in 2018, you made the national team in three years. However, once dropped, it took another three years to get back your place. Which was tougher? Yeah, my comeback was a lot tougher because I had tasted the forbidden fruit once, so I wanted to taste it again. Once I was dropped from the team, I knew the way, but there were more obstacles this time. The first time I came through, it was through word of mouth. However, the second time, I had to cross and convince many people, breaking many perceptions about me. Even the training regime, I used to get up by 5:30 a.m., go for practice, not knowing when I would get the call. When you say I got the call after three years, but I didn't think I would get that call after three years. So I just kept on doing my thing. Since 2023, you have been performing well in the IPL and for TN whenever you have played. Did it affect that you didn't get a callback? Yes, that's what made me feel that I wasn't being considered at all. That's what I thought, because I was performing well in the IPL and domestic cricket as well. But God's grace, God's plan... (I got back). You have now found a second wind in your career. How much of it is developing new skills, and how much of it is just mental adjustments or refinements? When you first come onto the scene, a perception is created about you, and people start getting used to it. Then you have to break that perception. You can only break that perception when you develop other specific skills. I feel it's the toughest, but that's when you'll have a longer run. The second time, it is like breaking your own identity and becoming a new person, but it is much more enduring. You must have the courage to unlearn many things.
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First Post
11-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Tilak Varma rises to third in ICC T20I batting rankings; Chakravarthy top-ranked Indian in bowling section
India's Tilak Varma has climbed to third in the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi retain their top 10 spots in the bowling charts. Hardik Pandya has retained his top spot in the all-rounder rankings. read more Tilak Varma has climbed to the third spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings. Image: AP Dubai: India's Tilak Varma climbed one spot to third in the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings, while spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi held on to the third and seventh positions respectively in the latest bowling chart released on Wednesday. Tilak now has 804 rating points, behind compatriot Abhishek Sharma, who is placed second. Australia's Travis Head continues to lead the batting chart while Suryakumar Yadav, who slipped one place to sixth, is the only other Indian in the top 10. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the bowling rankings, besides Chakaravarthy (706) and Bishnoi (674), left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is also in the top 10 with 653 points. Hardik Pandya continues to lead the all-rounders' list with 252 rating points. Among others, England's Adil Rashid moved up a spot to second in the bowling rankings following a strong showing in the 3-0 T20I series win over West Indies. The 37-year-old picked up 1/22 in Chester-le-Street, 1/59 in Bristol, and 2/30 in Southampton to surpass Wanindu Hasaranga and Chakaravarthy. Rashid now has 710 points, just 13 behind top-ranked Jacob Duffy of New Zealand (723). Brydon Carse, Rashid's teammate, also made gains with two wickets across the last two games, jumping 16 spots to 52nd with 493 points. England's Ben Duckett rose 48 places to 16th after his blazing 84 off 46 balls in the final T20I, while Harry Brook moved up six spots to joint-38th following knocks of 35 not out and 34 in the series. For West Indies, captain Shai Hope moved up 14 places to 15th with two knocks in the 40s, while Rovman Powell entered the top 20 after an unbeaten 79 off 45 balls in the final game. All-rounder Jason Holder also made progress, moving up 16 places to 26th in the all-rounder rankings after contributing 70 runs and a wicket in the series. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
KKR Partners With IPL Broadcaster's For A Special Screening Of Mufasa: The Lion King
In a heartwarming initiative that blended cricket with cinematic magic, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions of the TATA IPL, collaborated with JioHotstar for a special partnership to host an exclusive screening of Mufasa: The Lion King at their camp. The initiative served as an opportunity for the players to unwind and spend some time together with their families after a high-octane season in the IPL. KKR players including Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje and Anukul Roy were a part of the special screening alongside their families. The movie, originally released in December 2024, is now available for streaming on JioHotstar. The family entertainer is also dubbed in Hindi with KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan lending his voice for the lead role, alongside his sons. Aryan Khan voiced Simba in the movie, while Abram Khan voiced young Mufasa. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kolkata Knight Riders (@kkriders) The screening served as a reminder of the powerful moments that take place off the cricket field, while also imparting plenty of learnings for the children. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane shared his learnings from the movie, stating, 'This movie teaches kids about values, respect, legacy amongst other things. So, it was a lot of fun to watch with everyone.' Reflecting on the engaging experience with his teammates and family, Varun Chakaravarthy added, 'It's a brilliant movie. I saw it with my wife and my son, so we had a great time. My son also enjoyed the movie. It's the first time SRK, Aryan and Abram are lending their voices together, so cheers to them. They've done a great job.' Also expressing her thoughts on the initiative, Binda Dey, Chief Marketing Officer, Knight Riders Sports, 'Watching our Knights unwind and enjoy the film with their cubs was nothing short of magical. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most powerful moments happen off the pitch.'
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IPL 2025 new schedule: Why IPL playoffs have been moved out of Kolkata's Eden Gardens?
File photo of Kolkata's Eden Gardens. The final stretch of the 2025 Indian Premier League ( IPL ) is set to commence on the 17th of May. After a brief suspension following cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, the premier competition is set to return after a nine day hiatus. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) communicated the decision to host the "remaining League-Stage matches across six venues", Kolkata's Eden Gardens will have to let go of the privilege of hosting this season's finale. The battle for the coveted trophy has been pushed ahead from 25th May to the 3rd of June. The six venues to be used for the remaining League games are Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru. As for the playoffs, the venues are yet to be decided. While this does not necessarily mean that no other venue will be considered, an official release by the IPL mentions that all 17 games will be played across the aforementioned arenas. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Why is Kolkata missing out on hosting the final? IPL 2025 suspended: What happens next? The final was due to be played at the Eden Gardens on May 25 ahead of the competition being suspended. The revised scheduled most likely takes into account potential weather disruptions and other logistical concerns with keeping the playoffs and final in Kolkata. AccuWeather predicts showers and thunderstorms in Kolkata on June 3rd - the day of the final. The early onset of the Southwest monsoon, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), will see rains advance to some parts of the Bay of Bengal. Who's that IPL player? Furthermore, Qualifier 2 has also been shifted to another location; it was originally allotted to KKR's home turf. Incidentally, Hyderabad, which was supposed to host Q1 and the eliminator, has also been relieved of its responsibilities. 'Every game a knockout now': Varun Chakaravarthy eyes momentum after KKR's nail-biting win over RR While the venue for the playoffs and final is yet to be announced, reports suggest that the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has been shortlisted to host Qualifier 2 and the final. As opposed to 65 per cent probability of precipitation at the Kolkata venue, Ahmedabad only stands one-third the likelihood. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Varun Chakaravarthy fined 25 per cent of his match fees for code of conduct breach
KOLKATA: Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been fined 25 per cent of his match fees and handed one demerit point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the match against Chennai Super Kings. CSK, who are out of the playoffs race, defeated the home team by two wickets at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday to also effectively end Ajinkya Rahane's side's hopes of making the top four. "Varun Chakaravarthy admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding," said the IPL statement, without specifying the incident. Article 2.5 pertains to any "language, action or gesture used by a player and directed towards a batter upon his dismissal, which has the potential to provoke an aggressive reaction from the dismissed batter". Chakravarthy, who bagged two wickets, gestured to Dewald Brewis to leave the field after dismissing him on 52. The South African's half-century played a vital role on CSK winning the contest. KKR will play their remaining two league matches, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 10 and against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 17, away from home.
