Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has rued missing out on Varun Chakravarthy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Chakravarthy, who tormented the opposition batting orders in the 2023 edition of the tournament, shot to fame in IPL 2019 when Punjab Kings (PBKS) bought him for INR 8.4 crore, beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

A mystery spinner by trade, Varun was the pick of the bowlers for KKR in 2020 picking up 17 wickets in 13 matches. Since then, the spinner has played for KKR and has been riveting to watch in the ongoing IPL 2023. Varun has scalped 19 wickets this season, his best outing since he started playing IPL.

CSK coach Stephen Fleming spoke about the spinner and said that missing out on the Tamil Nadu player still hurt.

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As per the quotes in India Today, talking about Varun, Stephen Fleming said, “It still hurts us (missing out on Varun). He tortured us in the nets for a number of years. Just with the auctions, the way it is, we couldn’t retain him. The thing is with Tamil Nadu players all around in different teams, they knew about him as well. We were unable to keep him a secret.”

The CSK coach revealed that Chakravarthy impressed during his time in the Chennai nets and tormented the bating line-ups with his bowling.

Elaborating the same, Stephen Fleming said, “We were very excited by him as a talent when he bowled against us in the nets. And we would have loved him for a big price this year. He bowled very well today, he’s a weapon.”

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Since acquiring Varun Chakravarthy, KKR has retained the mystery spinner and has not let him go into the auction pool. The spinner got early breakthroughs against Chennai at Chepauk, as he dismissed the in-form batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane.