India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy recently showered praise on fellow fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, using an intriguing chess analogy involving Grandmaster D Gukesh and former World Champion Magnus Carlsen to explain his perspective. Since his comeback in October 2024, Chakravarthy has been in sensational form, playing a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph and steadily climbing the ranks in international cricket.

Despite being ranked number one in T20I bowling, Varun Chakravarthy humbly acknowledged that true greatness is more than just statistics.

“I follow chess now. When Gukesh won the championship, he said he might be the World Champion right now, but everyone knows Magnus Carlsen is the number one player. I might be ranked number one, but Jasprit Bumrah is always number one. There are Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan too. I am doing well, but some time to go before I can reach that stage,” Chakravarthy said on Breakfast with Champions.

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Chakravarthy’s numbers highlight his rapid rise. Since returning to T20Is, he has taken 38 wickets in 18 innings at an impressive average of 12.94 with an economy rate of 7.23.

During India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, he was the second-highest wicket-taker, claiming nine wickets in three matches at an average of 15.11 and an economy of 4.53. His contribution in the Asia Cup 2025 was equally impactful, finishing with seven wickets from six innings at an average of 20.42 and an economy of 6.50.

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With a T20I bowling rating of 803, Chakravarthy continues to be a vital asset for Team India. His blend of mystery spin and tactical awareness has made him a key figure in India’s limited-overs setup. Fans will next see him in action during India’s T20I series in Australia, where he aims to build on his already impressive record and further solidify his position among the world’s top spinners.

Chakravarthy’s remarks reflect both his humility and the respect he holds for seasoned campaigners like Bumrah, underlining the blend of talent, dedication, and sportsmanship that defines modern Indian cricket.