All posts tagged: Chakarvarthy

R Ashwin says there is ‘novelty factor’ to Kolkata Knight Riders bowling attack anymore due to dip in form of Varun Chakarvarthy

R Ashwin says there is ‘novelty factor’ to Kolkata Knight Riders bowling attack anymore due to dip in form of Varun Chakarvarthy

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3 min readMar 21, 2026 05:07 PM IST Former Indian off-spinner said that Kolkata Knight Riders lack the “novelty factor” for the upcoming Indian Premier League season in the bowling department. He has pointed at Varun Chakarvarthy and said he is in a stage of his career where he needs to find new answers, and pointed at Sunil Narine and reminded him that he cannot bowl quickly anymore because of his altered action. “I don’t think oppositions will be worried after looking at KKR’s bowling attack. I think the mystery factory, the novelty factor, and the fear, that particular facet, would have gone. Earlier, batters used to go to the analyst’s room, watch the bowler’s hand, or just look to take a single,” R Ashwin said. “Varun is at a stage in his career, where he has to find answers. But, it is natural for every cricketer’s progress and his career. I think the novelty factor is out. Sunil Narine also cannot bowl the faster ball anymore, because of his action. Eden Gardens is a …

Mohammad Kaif says Varun Chakarvarthy ‘shows a bit of panic’ when he gets hit for runs

Mohammad Kaif says Varun Chakarvarthy ‘shows a bit of panic’ when he gets hit for runs

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2 min readMar 4, 2026 11:43 AM IST Games in the Super 8 stage have not gone to plan for Varun Chakarvarthy, as teams have read him well and have managed to squeeze runs through the middle overs. What was a bankable four overs from Chakarvarthy has become a slight concern for the Indian side in the last three games. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, making his observation, pointed out that when pressure is on, Chakaravrthy tends to panic a bit. “Many batters are now coming prepared, knowing exactly how to plan against him (Varun). That is where a slight problem can arise. I have noticed that when he gets hit for runs, he sometimes shows a bit of panic. You can see it in the way he reacts. Instead of sticking to his natural wicket-to-wicket length, he starts bowling at the pads.” said Kaif on his YouTube channel. Kaif also pointed out that Chakarvarthy has been too reliant on his googly rather than the orthodox leg-spinner. “Throughout this World Cup, I feel he has …

India beat Namibia by 93 runs in T20 world cup as Ishan Kishan, Varun Chakarvarthy shine despite middle-order struggles | Cricket News

India beat Namibia by 93 runs in T20 world cup as Ishan Kishan, Varun Chakarvarthy shine despite middle-order struggles | Cricket News

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4 min readFeb 12, 2026 11:07 PM IST A capacity crowd arrived at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground on a breezy, pleasant Thursday evening and spent nearly four hours watching 19 wickets scalped and 18 sixes go into the stands before an ultimately predictable result played itself out. India’s collective quality – despite an indifferent batting performance and an average new-ball spell – was simply too much to contend with for Namibia, who arrived here as the underdogs and looked the part for much of the contest. The 93-run victory will remain a footnote in the hosts’ grand pursuit to become the first team to defend the World T20 title, and the first to win it at home. The Kotla faithful stayed late into the night and broke into bhangra celebrations at the end, though such scenes are unlikely to be replicated in the dressing room. They are not likely to give it a second thought either. That India needed nowhere near their best but still looked unplayable at times, with different players coming up …

‘He still wants to play another two or three cycles’: Varun Chakarvarthy reveals Andre Russell’s plans | Ipl News

‘He still wants to play another two or three cycles’: Varun Chakarvarthy reveals Andre Russell’s plans | Ipl News

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Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell had a poor campaign with the bat till Sunday when he smacked a 25-ball 57 to turn the momentum of the batting innings for the hosts against the Rajasthan Royals. Every time Russell tends to have a good season, KKR invariably does well however, fitness has been a concern that has been hanging around his neck. However, his teammate Varun Chakarvarthy revealed that Russell could get through another two to three cycles of IPL. “As far as I’ve spoken to him and interacted with him, he still wants to play another two or three cycles of the IPL – which is easily six more years. He looks fine and fit. It doesn’t matter how old you are, as long as you’re contributing to the team. That’s the mindset. In franchise cricket, no one’s going to question that,” Chakarvarthy said in a post-match conference. Russell, promoted up the order, started with caution considering the number of overs left as got off the mark with a single off the 6th delivery …

Playing in his home ground… going to be a huge factor: Venkatesh Iyer on Varun Chakarvarthy ahead KKR vs CSK | Ipl News

Playing in his home ground… going to be a huge factor: Venkatesh Iyer on Varun Chakarvarthy ahead KKR vs CSK | Ipl News

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Varun Chakarvarthy so far in the season has picked up six wickets from five games. Coming into the tournament he has been in sublime bowling form. However, for Kolkata Knight Riders like the team’s fortunes, his performances have been a mixed bag. However, team vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer is optimistic that Chakarvarthy playing at Chepauk against the Chennai Super Kings in his home ground is a “huge factor”. “Irrespective of the conditions, I think Varun is a world-class spinner now. But yeah, him playing in his home ground is going to be of huge importance. It’s going to be a huge factor as well, also considering that Ajinkya played here for two years, and Moeen Ali played for two years. So, I think we’ve got a good think tank as well with regards to how this pitch will play.” Iyer said ahead of the game. In addition to that Iyer also gave his view on KKR batting order and Andre Russell coming too low in the line-up .”I think from the analytics point of view, the …

Varun Chakarvarthy speaks about plans for IPL 2025: I have a few balls up my sleeve | Ipl News

Varun Chakarvarthy speaks about plans for IPL 2025: I have a few balls up my sleeve | Ipl News

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Mystery spinner Varun Chakarvarthy has been in terrific form in recent times. He has picked nine wickets in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025 and played a crucial role in the knockout stages of the tournament. However, after losing a bit of bite in his bowling Chakarvarthy’s resurrection of his career began in the 2024 IPL where he picked up 21 wickets. “Whenever I play some domestic, I try to work something new. Every year I try to bowl something new,” Chakarvarthy said ahead of the match.“Last year it worked out, in seasons before that it didn’t. I have a few balls up my sleeve but it will depend on other factors also.” Speaking about bowling against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday Chakarvarthy said, “Anyone at this level, you cannot think of it as an easy opposition. Every team in the IPL is as good as the other one. RCB have a quality team, but we have done our homework. I have done my homework too.” Story continues below this ad “The ball can deviate …

After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls… was returning from the airport, a couple of people followed me: Varun Chakarvarthy | Cricket News

After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls… was returning from the airport, a couple of people followed me: Varun Chakarvarthy | Cricket News

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Varun Chakarvarthy who played a pivotal role with the ball in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025 has had his fair share of issues in the past. When he debuted for India in 2021 in the T20 World Cup in Dubai he did not have the same success at the time and India was knocked out without qualifying for the semifinal. “After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. ‘Don’t come to India. If you try, you won’t be able to.’People came up to my house, and tracked me down – I had to hide at times. When I was returning from the airport, a couple of people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional,” Chakarvarthy said speaking on a Youtube channel with anchor Gobinath. “But when I look back at those things and the praise I am receiving now, I am happy. I am not able to believe that all good things are happening in one go. I want to take it to the next level. I …

‘Varun Chakarvarthy reminds me of BS Chandrasekhar’: Farokh Engineer | Cricket News

‘Varun Chakarvarthy reminds me of BS Chandrasekhar’: Farokh Engineer | Cricket News

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Varun Chakarvarthy has been bowling superbly since coming back into the Indian side. Though there have been a few questions on him getting selected in the ODI side and for the Champions Trophy the wrist spinner would answer them with his performances. His five-wicket haul against New Zealand came in a winning cause earlier in the tournament in Dubai and he bowled tidly against Australia in the semifinal. “I think so, yeah, because my T20 series went well, probably they thought that the pitches in Dubai might be slower and I might be of some use for the team and that was the thinking behind it and yeah, it has worked this match,” Chakarvarthy would analyze the probable reason behind his selection. “India have class spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun. You know what, Varun reminds me of BS Chandrasekhar. It is wonderful that India are playing to their strengths (by using four spinners). Horses for courses depending on the pitches they are playing.” former Indian cricketer Farokh Engineer said during a felicitation ceremony Story …

‘We’ll be putting our thinking caps on around how we nullify’: Gary Stead on New Zealand facing Varun Chakarvarthy | Cricket News

‘We’ll be putting our thinking caps on around how we nullify’: Gary Stead on New Zealand facing Varun Chakarvarthy | Cricket News

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Wrist spinner Varun Chakarvarthy troubled the Kiwi batter on Sunday during the final group game of the Champions Trophy 2025. He ended up with a five-wicket haul, which helped India thrash New Zealand by 44 runs. The leg-spinner, since making his comeback into the India colours, has been a thorn in the flesh of the batters with his willy variations and deadly accuracy. The Kiwi batters who did not have an answer to his tricks might have to face him in the final of the competition on Sunday yet again. New Zealand Head Coach Gary Stead would acknowledge that Chakarvarthy is a threat and the Blackcaps need to put on thinking caps to deal with him. “We expect him to play after getting 5/42 against us in the last game. He’s a class bowler and showed his skills against us last time and he’s a big threat in the game,” Stead told reporters on Friday. “So we’ll be putting our thinking caps on around how we nullify that and how we can still score runs …

IPL 2024: Harshal Patel wins Purple Cap; KKR bowlers Chakarvarthy, Russell, Rana finish in top 5 | Ipl News

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IPL 2024 Most Wickets, Purple Cap Holder: Punjab Kings bowler Harshal Patel ended the season with 24 wickets to clinch the Purple Cap in the IPL 2024 season. This is the second time Harshal has won the Purple Cap, having bagged 32 wickets in the 2021 season. Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakarvarthy jumped to the second spot during the team’s victorious triumph in the final on Sunday with a wicket. Chakarvarthy ended up with 21 wickets in the season, the most among all spinners. India and Mumbai Indians pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah finished third with 20 wickets during his campaign. KKR seamers Andre Russell and Harshit Rana rounded up the top five for the season. IPL 2024 Purple Cap table updated today No. Player M Ins Ovs Runs Wkts BBI Avg Econ SR 4w/5w 1 14 14 49.0 477 24 15/3 19.87 9.73 12.25 0/0 2. 15 13 50.0 402 21 16/3 19.14 8.04 14.28 0/0 3. 13 13 51.5 336 20 21/5 16.80 6.48 15.55 0/1 4. 15 14 29.2 295 19 19/3 …