Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has set his sights on two of the biggest names in Indian cricket—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—this IPL season. When asked about the batters he would most like to dismiss, Chakaravarthy didn’t hesitate to name the Indian stalwarts, alongside other T20 powerhouses.
“Any batsman in great form is always a prized wicket. Players like Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav are some of the best in the game. I’d be really happy if I could pick their wickets,” Varun Chakaravarthy shared during an appearance on JioHotstar’s special show ‘Gen Bold’.
The 33-year-old mystery spinner, who has already taken three wickets in two matches this season, will get his first chance to bowl against Rohit and Suryakumar when KKR face Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Having played a crucial role in India’s recent Champions Trophy triumph in Dubai, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker, Chakaravarthy is brimming with confidence. His contributions were also vital in KKR’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2024, and he is keen to replicate that success.
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However, the spinner knows that past achievements don’t guarantee future results. Reflecting on the challenges of consistency, Varun Chakaravarthy said, “The biggest lesson is that no matter how well you performed in the last tournament, you have to start from scratch again. Cricket is like that—each new competition is a fresh challenge. Even if you’ve had two or three great seasons, you have to begin again with the same hunger.”
Handling pressure is a crucial aspect of T20 cricket, and Chakaravarthy has learned to simplify his approach in high-stakes situations. “What I’ve realized is that you shouldn’t overcomplicate things. You don’t need to try and bowl a magic delivery every time or create a special moment. The most important thing is executing your basics well. That’s what makes the difference,” he explained.
Playing in the IPL brings enormous expectations, and Varun Chakaravarthy is no stranger to the scrutiny that comes with it. “Pressure has been there from my very first IPL match, and that’s the case for every player. It’s part of playing at this level. The key is to focus on your process and not get ahead of yourself,” he added.
One of KKR’s most reliable bowlers, Chakaravarthy has built a strong bowling partnership with West Indies legend Sunil Narine. Their chemistry has developed over the years, and the Indian spinner values Narine’s guidance.
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“This is my sixth year playing alongside Sunil, and we’ve developed a great understanding. He doesn’t need to spoon-feed me anymore—I can simply observe him and learn. If I ever have doubts, I go to him for advice. We’ve always bowled well together, and in my opinion, he has been the most valuable player in T20 cricket from the start. Even this year, I believe he will be the MVP,” Varun Chakaravarthy said.
With his sights set on the best batters in the game and a clear mindset for the season, Chakaravarthy is ready to play a vital role in KKR’s IPL 2025 campaign.
