Indian cricket’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has emerged as a standout performer, topping the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings after stellar performances in the Asia Cup 2025, where he claimed seven wickets, including a match-defining 2-30 in the final against Pakistan. Speaking on Breakfast with Champions on October 16, 2025, the 34-year-old revealed his pre-tournament jitters, admitting, “I cry the whole night… wondering what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
Despite these nerves, Chakaravarthy’s ability to deliver on big stages—evidenced by nine wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 and his Asia Cup heroics—has cemented his role as a key asset for India. His humility shone through when he downplayed his No. 1 ranking, likening himself to chess world champion Gukesh vis-à-vis Magnus Carlsen, and naming Jasprit Bumrah, Sunil Narine, and Rashid Khan as the true benchmarks.
In the Asia Cup final in Dubai, Chakaravarthy’s dismissals of Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman triggered a dramatic collapse from 113/1 to 146 all out, paving the way for India’s victory. The triumph, however, was overshadowed by post-match controversy when the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, citing diplomatic tensions. Players instead celebrated with an imaginary trophy, a moment that sparked widespread debate. Chakaravarthy leaned into the drama with a cheeky social media post, sharing a photo of himself holding a teacup captioned, “Akkha duniya ek taraf, aur mera INDIA ek taraf. Jai Hind!!!” The gesture, viewed over 500,000 times on X, amplified his growing popularity among fans.
Chakaravarthy’s rise reflects India’s robust spin-bowling depth as the team prepares for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. His economical spells in the Asia Cup’s opening matches and pivotal wickets in the final underscored his knack for high-pressure moments. Despite his success, he remains grounded, acknowledging the need to evolve to match all-format stars like Bumrah. The spinner’s exclusion from Sanjay Bangar’s proposed India XI for the first Australia ODI, reported by NDTV Sports, has sparked debate, with former cricketer Madan Lal advocating for young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal to secure all-format roles, suggesting Chakaravarthy could follow a similar path.
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The Asia Cup victory, coupled with the trophy controversy, has kept Indian cricket in the global spotlight. On X, fans celebrated Chakaravarthy’s wit, while critics of the PCB’s handling of the event fuelled discussions about cricket’s politicisation. As India gears up for Australia, Chakaravarthy’s performances and social media savvy have made him a fan favourite, with his teacup post symbolising both defiance and national pride. With the Women’s World Cup India-Pakistan match recently dubbed the most-watched women’s game ever, Indian cricket’s global influence continues to soar, driven by stars like Chakaravarthy who blend skill with personality.
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