2 min learnUp to date: Mar 16, 2026 11:26 AM IST
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh backed Varun Chakaravarthy to return again robust after a 2026 T20 World Cup marketing campaign wherein he fell wanting his normally excessive requirements. Chakaravarthy himself completed because the second highest wickettaker within the match and India received the title, however the spinner struggled to carry out in opposition to the massive groups. That is in stark distinction to his kind going into the T20 World Cup, with Chakaravarthy being nearly unplayable within the bilateral sequence that India performed.
Harbhajan revealed that he first observed the Tamil Nadu cricketer in 2018 throughout a follow session on the nets of Chennai Tremendous Kings. At the moment, the thriller spinner was there as a web bowler, quietly testing his variations in opposition to established gamers. Harbhajan was impressed with Chakaravarthy’s management and variations even throughout that very early part of his profession.
“First issues first, he’s a champion bowler. I first noticed him on the Chennai Tremendous Kings nets in 2018 the place he was a follow bowler. I informed the CSK administration to select him immediately — which they didn’t — as a result of even then he was typically unplayable within the nets,” Harbhajan informed The Occasions of India.
Though the chance with Chennai Tremendous Kings by no means materialized Chakaravarthy emerged as a high performer for Kolkata Knight Riders. He was a number one determine of their 2024 title-winning marketing campaign — taking 21 wickets within the match (second-highest wickets within the season). Chakaravarthy has a powerful financial system of seven.57 and has taken 100 wickets from 84 T20 matches.
The success has not been solely restricted to the IPL; nonetheless, since making his debut in worldwide cricket, he has been a beneficial addition to the nation’s T20 cricket staff. Chakaravarthy has performed 45 T20Is to this point for India wherein he has taken 73 wickets at a median of 16.61 and greatest bowling figures of 5-wickets for 17 runs.
Having already reached the highest of the ICC Males’s T20I Bowling Rankings with 771 ranking factors, the previous India off-spinner believes the Tamil Nadu spinner has already confirmed his high quality on the highest degree. Harbhajan feels the thriller spinner has the ability and temperament to beat setbacks and is assured he’ll bounce again strongly.
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