India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has climbed to the pinnacle of world cricket, becoming the No.1 ranked T20I bowler in the latest ICC rankings announced on Wednesday, September 17. The achievement comes just two days before India’s final group-stage clash against Oman in the Asia Cup 2025.
Varun rose three spots to dethrone New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy, marking a historic moment as he joined an elite Indian club. Before him, only Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi had managed to top the T20I bowling charts.
Since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach, Chakravarthy has emerged as a vital cog in India’s T20I setup. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star, once sidelined after India’s 2021 T20 World Cup debacle, has scripted a remarkable comeback. Now 34, his consistency and precision have made him indispensable in the middle overs.
WATCH – Joe Root Praises Mohammed Siraj’s Sledging Tactics, Calls It Theatre of Cricket in England Series
The year 2025 has been nothing short of sensational for the mystery spinner. In the five-match T20I series against England earlier this year, Varun bagged an impressive 14 wickets, setting the tone for India’s dominance ahead of the Champions Trophy. He has carried that form into the Asia Cup, where he already boasts tidy spells against the UAE and Pakistan.
STORY | Chakravarthy becomes No.1 T20I bowler in ICC rankings for first time
Mystery spinner Varun Charkravarthy on Wednesday rose to the top spot in ICC’s T20 International Bowlers’ Rankings for the first time in his career, becoming just the third Indian to achieve the… pic.twitter.com/W3LCdw0eqW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 17, 2025
In India’s tournament opener, Chakravarthy returned figures of 1/4 in his four overs, choking the hosts completely. Against Pakistan, he followed up with another disciplined spell of 1/24, further showcasing his knack for building pressure.
ALSO READ: Mohammad Yousuf Faces Personal Attacks After Abusive Remarks On Suryakumar Yadav
Those performances proved enough to propel him to the summit of the ICC rankings for the first time in his career. Duffy slipped to second, while Akeal Hosein (West Indies) retained his third spot. Australia’s Adam Zampa and England’s Adil Rashid complete the top five.
With the Asia Cup entering a crucial stage, India will bank on Chakravarthy’s mystery spin to continue weaving its magic against Oman and beyond.
