‘Not done yet,’ Varun Chakaravarthy sends REMINDER to selectors with 4/15 vs RCB, gets his MYSTERY back, Watch Video
KKR vs RCB: Dropped on fitness grounds and then exiled after a poor T20 World Cup 2021, Varun Chakaravarthy went from hero…
KKR vs RCB: Dropped on fitness grounds and then exiled after a poor T20 World Cup 2021, Varun Chakaravarthy went from hero to zero in a matter of months. But on Thursday, the Kolkata Knight Riders and Tamil Nadu spinner has got his mystery back, bagging 4/15 in 3.4 overs. If you don’t believe me, ask Faf du Plessis about it or maybe Glenn Maxwell. In 10 balls, Chakaravarthy stunned two of the greatest hitters in white-ball cricket. His third victim in those 10 balls was Harshal Patel as KKR ripped Royal Challengers Bangalore’s famed batting order apart. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
ICYMI – TWO outstanding deliveries. Two massive wickets.
Sunil Narine & Varun Chakaravarthy get the #RCB openers early on.
Follow the match – https://t.co/J6wVwbsfV2#TATAIPL | #KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/GvL1U1GRWW
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 6, 2023
On a comeback trail, Varun Chakaravarthy returned with figures of 4/15 in 3.4 overs. But he stayed true to his promise as he bowled quick deliveries and puzzled batters. Du Plessis was out on an insde edge on a quick delivery. Glenn Maxwell departed after the ball took a sharp turn and Harshal Patel rather threw his wicket away.
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From hero to zero:
Unlike many others, Varun Chakaravarthy had a colourful beginning. From debuting in a Tamil movie to becoming an overnight sensation in Tamil Nadu Premier League to earning the India cap through KKR stint.
| Edition | Mat | O | M | R | W | 4w | Best | Avg | S/R | E/R |
| 2019 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1/35 | 35 | 18 | 11.67 |
| 2020 | 13 | 52 | 0 | 356 | 17 | 1 | 5/20 | 20.94 | 18.35 | 6.85 |
| 2021 | 17 | 68 | 0 | 448 | 18 | 0 | 3/13 | 24.89 | 22.67 | 6.59 |
| 2022 | 11 | 39 | 0 | 332 | 6 | 0 | 1/22 | 55.33 | 39 | 8.51 |
| 2023 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1/26 | 26 | 24 | 6.5 |
| Total | 43 | 166 | 0 | 1197 | 43 | 1 | 5/20 | 27.84 | 23.16 | 7.21 |
But struggling with injury, fitness and confidence, the spinner lost his spark. At 2021 WC, he was told, he had no mystery in his bowling. Last season, KKR benched Varun for three matches. He managed just 6 wickets in 11 games at an economy rate of 8.51, his worst in three seasons.
Sunil Narine dismissed Virat Kohli
Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Faf Du Plessis
Both the RCB openers are back to the pavillion #KKRvRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/fCGrfCcTYf
— Rajendra dudi (@rajendra_dudi) April 6, 2023
But his story has always been of comebacks and he did. He watched his videos of last IPL season to rectify his mistakes. In the off-season, he worked with his coach to bounce back. Instead of flighting the ball more, he has reverted to quick bowls.
“After those games, I had a break. I was basically trying to flight the ball, which was not my expertise. I now bowl quicker and that has worked for me. It was better sticking to that. Personally, I worked on my run-up as well. I realised it quite late, but I came to know that was a mistake,” Chakaravarthy told ESPNCrininfo in an interview.
