Varun Chakravarthy once again proved why he’s one of the most dangerous spinners in T20 cricket with a game-changing spell against the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 clash at Eden Gardens. With a daunting target of 207 to defend, Kolkata Knight Riders leaned on their spinners to choke the Royals, and Chakravarthy delivered with guile and precision.
While Moeen Ali set the tone early by putting the batters under pressure with his tight lines, it was Chakravarthy who delivered the killer blows. His second over of the match—also the eighth over of the Royals’ innings—turned the tide firmly in KKR’s favour. On a pitch that was beginning to grip and offer turn, the mystery spinner unleashed his full arsenal.
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He first removed Dhruv Jurel with a beautifully disguised wrong ‘un. Floated outside off, the ball landed on a good length, teasing the batter to play. Jurel, uncertain of the turn, lunged forward tentatively but left a gap between bat and pad. The ball spun in sharply and crashed into the stumps, leaving Jurel stunned and KKR jubilant.
Through the gate ✖ 2️⃣ \|/
Varun Chakaravarthy is weaving his magic in Kolkata! 👏
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Two balls later, Chakravarthy struck again. This time, it was Wanindu Hasaranga who became the victim of his deceptive flight and sharp turn. The delivery—a tossed-up googly just outside off—tempted Hasaranga to push at it without any real footwork. The result was inevitable: the inside edge was beaten and the off-stump was sent cartwheeling.
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In just one over, Varun Chakravarthy showcased everything that makes him a match-winner in this format: deception, control, and the ability to exploit the surface. With the ball gripping and turning under the Eden Gardens lights, the KKR spinner was virtually unplayable. His clinical strikes not only derailed Rajasthan’s chase but also underlined why he’s such a pivotal weapon in KKR’s bowling arsenal this season.
