By Smritika Banerjee
Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy has risen to the top claiming the title of world’s leading bowler in the ICC Men’sT20I rankings. This achievement marks a historic milestone in his career, making him the third Indian cricketer to reach the summit of T20I bowling charts, joining the ranks of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi. The ICC acknowledged Chakravarthy’s steady and noteworthy performances throughout the 2025 season. This ultimately secured his position as the world’s best bowler in T20 cricket.
Chakravarthy’s rise to prominence is a compelling tale of determination. He faced initial challenges in translating his domestic success into the international arena after making his T20I debut for India in 2021 against Sri Lanka. His selection for the 2021 T20 World Cup squad in the UAE highlighted his potential, but his performances didn’t quite meet expectations, resulting in his exclusion from the national team. In spite of which Chakravarthy didn’t let this setback dampen his spirits. He returned to the IPL, where he once again demonstrated his knack for taking wickets, establishing himself as one of the leading bowlers during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Chakravarthy’s steady performance in the IPL ultimately paved the way for a well-earned return to the Indian cricket team in late 2024, under the new leadership. Making his comeback in the series against Bangladesh in October 2024, he signaled the start of what has been an impressive second chapter with the national squad. Since then, the spinner has established himself as a vital component of India’s plans across both T20I and ODI formats. His impact was particularly notable during this year’s Champions Trophy, where he played a crucial role in India’s victory, claiming nine wickets in just three matches.
Since Chakravarthy’s debut, he has made a notable impact over 20 matches, claiming 35 wickets at an impressive average of 14.54 and maintaining an economy rate of 6.83. His standout performance came against South Africa, where he took 5 wickets for 17 runs which was a clear testament to his skill and effectiveness with the ball. Currently part of India’s squad for the ongoing Asia Cup, Chakravarthy has continued to showcase his talent. In just two matches so far, he has.