There appears to be a deep karmic connection between Varun Chakravarthy and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). Back in 2021, it was at this very venue that former India coach Ravi Shastri first noticed his talent, hailing him as a match-winner and recommending him for India’s Test squad for the upcoming Australia tour.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, the same stadium became the site of one of his worst performances. During the T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan’s openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan took him apart as they chased down India’s total with a crushing 10-wicket victory. Later in the same tournament, he was entrusted with opening the bowling against New Zealand, only to return wicketless. The so-called ‘mystery’ in his bowling seemed to have faded.
A Turnaround Performance
Fast forward to Sunday night, 2025, and Chakravarthy finally had his moment of redemption. With India fielding an experimental squad—comprising four spinners and only one specialist fast bowler—Chakravarthy made the most of his opportunity. In just his second ODI appearance, he delivered a stunning five-wicket haul, helping India secure a 44-run victory in a low-scoring encounter against New Zealand.
Reflecting on his past struggles in Dubai, Chakravarthy admitted,
“Yes, in 2021, I didn’t personally have a great tournament here. But I do feel I bowled decently. The results just weren’t in our favor. But right now, things are looking good, and Team India is doing well.”
Bowling in three spells across ten overs, Chakravarthy’s variations left New Zealand’s batters in complete disarray. His performance also presented the Indian team management with a selection dilemma ahead of their crucial semifinal against Australia. Speaking about this, India captain Rohit Sharma remarked,
“He has something different about him, so we wanted to try and see what he can offer. We haven’t thought much about the next game, but it’s a good headache to have.”
A Bowler with True Mystery
New Zealand’s pacer Matt Henry, who also claimed a five-wicket haul in the match, praised Chakravarthy’s performance, saying,
“Oh, he bowled beautifully, didn’t he? He showed great skill, turning the ball both ways and even generating pace. I thought he was brilliant.”
At one stage, New Zealand seemed in control, cruising at 93 for 2 while chasing 250. But as their captain Mitchell Santner pointed out, India applied pressure with their four quality spinners. Chakravarthy, the standout performer among them, completely derailed their chase.
What makes Varun Chakravarthy special is his enigmatic approach to bowling. Even Rohit Sharma has admitted that the spinner keeps some of his variations hidden, even in the nets. He carefully guards his mystery deliveries, ensuring that batters remain in the dark about his full arsenal.
On Sunday, however, he was willing to offer a glimpse into his strategy.
“Basically, the ball that goes inside, outside, and straight—these are the main variations. But within that, there are subtle changes you can make,” he explained.
Of course, executing those variations is far from simple. His point of delivery, air drift, speed variations, and accuracy make him a nightmare for batters. When the pitch offers assistance, as it did in Dubai, his deceptive style becomes even more potent.
The Five Key Wickets
Varun Chakravarthy completed his full quota of 10 overs, delivering 60 balls in total. Interestingly, the five wicket-taking deliveries may not have been his most impressive ones, but his overall spell ensured those breakthroughs:
- Will Young – played onto his stumps, giving Chakravarthy his first ODI wicket.
- Glenn Phillips – attempted a big shot after hitting a six but mistimed it.
- Michael Bracewell – given out LBW, though replays suggested it was a marginal call.
- Mitchell Santner – fell to a rare seam-up delivery, rather than a typical mystery ball.
- Matt Henry – dismissed while trying to accelerate the run chase.
Despite these dismissals, Chakravarthy believes his success was not just luck but the result of careful planning.
“I think I can do better, but I wouldn’t call it luck. I planned each of my deliveries, and sometimes things go your way. In cricket, anything can happen,” he said confidently.
Adapting to the 50-Over Format
At 33 years old, Chakravarthy has primarily been known for his T20 exploits. The shorter format suits him because batters often take risks against him, allowing him to capitalize on their mistakes. However, ODIs pose a different challenge, as batsmen have more time to read his variations.
To bridge this gap, he has been working on his 50-over bowling strategy, particularly in domestic cricket’s Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“Playing 50-over cricket really helped me understand when to use my incoming, outgoing, or straighter deliveries. It’s very different from T20s, and I had to adapt my game,” he explained.
The Ultimate Test Awaits
With a semifinal clash against Australia looming, Chakravarthy’s redemption arc will face its biggest test yet. Will he rise to the occasion once more, or will the ghosts of past struggles resurface?
For now, one thing is clear—Varun Chakravarthy is back, and his mystery remains intact.
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