Who is Varun Chakaravarty? India’s Mystery Spinner Who Took 5 Wickets in His Champions Trophy Debut

Varun Chakravarthy, India's mystery spinner, has showcased remarkable T20I stats: 33 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 14.57 and an economy rate of 7.02, with best figures of 5/17. In T20s, he has taken 138 wickets in 106 matches, averaging 21.15 with an economy of 7.38 and best figures of 5/17.

Mar 4, 2025, 22:19 IST
Varun Chakaravarty Stats
Varun Chakaravarty Stats

If you watched India vs. New Zealand league match yesterday, you must now know about Varun Chakaravarty. Born on 29 August 1991 in Bidar, Karnataka. 

He holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from SRM University. In 2021, at the age of 25, Chakaravarty quit his job and decided to pursue cricket professionally.

Looking at Varun Chakaravarty's stats, he is a right-hand batter with a unique style of bowling as a leg-break googly bowler. He made his List A debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 20 September 2018.

Currently, this spin wizard has played 152 matches, including 106 T20s, 25 List A, 1 FC, 18 T20I, and 2 ODI matches.

Check Out| Champions Trophy 2025 Semi Final: Teams, Match Date, Time, Venue, Updated Squad and Players List

Who is Varun Chakaravarty? Check Age, Wife, Career And More

Source: The Hawk

Varun Chakravarthy is a notable Indian cricketer known for his role as a right-arm leg-break bowler. Born on August 29, 1991, in Bidar, Karnataka, he has played for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Varun Chakravarthy is married to Neha Khedekar. They got married on December 12, 2020, in a private ceremony after dating for several years. Neha is known for her love of photography and animals, and she often supports Varun during his cricket matches.

He was born on August 29, 1991, which makes him 33 years old as of March 2025. Additionally, his wife, Neha Khedekar, was born on January 4, 1995, making her 30 years old as of March 2025

Career Highlights:

  • Known as a "mystery spinner," Varun rose to fame in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his deceptive bowling.
  • Made his List-A debut in 2018 for Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was the leading wicket-taker for his team.
  • Played a pivotal role in Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders, helping them win the IPL title in 2024.
  • Achieved notable records such as most wickets for KKR in multiple IPL seasons and being the second-most wicket-taker in IPL 2024.

Notable Achievements:

  • Joint-highest wicket-taker in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023-24.
  • Second uncapped player to take a five-wicket haul in IPL history.
  • Represented India in T20Is since 2021, with consistent performances.

For You| India vs New Zealand Match 2025: Key Batsmen, Bowlers and Allrounders to Watch; Check Stats and Records

Decoding Varun Chakravarthy’s Stats

Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as a key spinner for India, especially in limited-overs cricket. In ODIs, he has played just two matches but made an impact with a five-wicket haul (5/42), maintaining an impressive 16.00 average. 

His T20I record is even more remarkable, with 33 wickets in 18 matches at an economy of 7.02 and a best of 5/17. His List A and T20 stats further highlight his consistency, with five five-wicket hauls in List A cricket. 

Though his first-class experience is limited, his mystery spin makes him a valuable asset in high-pressure matches like the Champions Trophy.

Format

Mat

Inns

Balls

Runs

Wkts

BBI

ODIs

2

2

120

96

6

5/42

T20Is

18

18

411

481

33

5/17

FC

1

1

234

105

1

1/105

List A

25

25

1289

930

65

5/9

T20s

106

105

2371

2919

138

5/17

Varun Chakravarthy holds several unique records across formats, showcasing his resilience and impact as a mystery spinner. In ODIs, he became the 42nd oldest player to take a five-wicket haul at 33 years and 185 days, also ranking 26th for being the oldest to claim his maiden five-wicket haul. 

His T20I records are even more remarkable, ranking 2nd for the best bowling figures in a losing cause (5 wickets).

Varun Chakravarthy’s Best Bowling Figures

Varun Chakaravarty is a cricket player who primarily plays T20 matches. But his ODI debut against England and Champions Trophy debut in New Zealand have proved that he isn’t just limited to T20.

This spin architect gave 42 runs and took 5 wickets in 10 overs, wiping out New Zealand with his fast deliveries and leaving their batting lineup in tatters. In total, Varun’s Best Bowling Index is 5/42 with a total of 6 wickets.

Opponent

Mat

Inns

Overs

Runs

Wkts

BBI

Australia

1

1

10.0

49

2

2/49

England

1

1

10.0

54

1

1/54

New Zealand

1

1

10.0

42

5

5/42

In T20Is and T20, Varun has proven to be a valuable asset to the team with his consistent performance and ability to take crucial wickets in pressure situations.

Format

Mat

Inns

Balls

Runs

Wkts

BBI

BBM

T20Is

18

18

411

481

33

5/17

5/17

T20s

106

105

2371

2919

138

5/17

5/17

For T20I, he has played 18 matches while taking 33 wickets with a BBI score of 5/17. Similarly, he has played 106 T20 matches while taking 138 wickets and a BBI score of 5/17, the same as T20I.

What's Next| ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule: Teams, Match Date, Time, Venue and Latest News

Kriti Barua
Kriti Barua

Executive Content Writer

Kriti Barua is a professional content writer who has four years of experience in creating engaging and informative articles for various industries. She started her career as a creative writer intern at Wordloom Ventures and quickly developed a passion for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers.

Currently working as a content writer for the GK section of Jagran New Media, she continues to hone her skills in writing and strives to deliver high-quality content that educates and entertains readers.
... Read More

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India, World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App.

Trending

Latest Education News