Varun Chakaravarthy Profile
The architect-turned-mystery spinner who came back into India’s team after three years, took five wickets in his ODI career-best at the Champions Trophy and shared the most wickets at the T20 World Cup 2026. This is the complete story of Varun Chakaravarthy, also spelled Chakravarthy.
By CricketGatha · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read
Varun Chakaravarthy Quick Facts
| Full name | Varun Chakaravarthy Vinod |
| Born | 29 August 1991 (age 35 as of October 2026) |
| Home | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Role | Mystery spinner |
| Batting / bowling | Right-handed / right-arm leg-break |
| Jersey number | 29 |
| Domestic team | Tamil Nadu |
| IPL team | Kolkata Knight Riders (since 2020) |
| T20I debut | July 2021 v Sri Lanka |
| ODI debut | 9 February 2025 v England, Cuttack (cap 259) |
| Last T20I | 8 March 2026 v New Zealand (T20 World Cup final) |
Early Life and Background
Varun grew up in Chennai and came to professional cricket later than most players. He studied architecture and worked in the field before committing to the game, and he started as a batter and keeper before turning to spin. He rose through Tamil Nadu’s club cricket and the Tamil Nadu Premier League, where his mix of variations soon drew attention.
He made his Twenty20 debut for Punjab on 27 March 2019 against Kolkata Knight Riders. A year later, Kolkata signed him at the 2020 auction, and he has stayed with them since.
Career Timeline
Varun Chakaravarthy Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 43 | 73 | 5/17 | Average about 16, economy about 7.9, two five-wicket hauls |
| ODI | 4 | 10 | 5/42 | Average 19.00, economy 4.75, one five-wicket haul |
| All T20 cricket | – | 197 | 5/17 | As of March 2026 |
With the bat, Varun is a tail-ender, and in the field he has taken 11 catches in T20Is.
Varun at the T20 World Cup 2026
Varun was one of India’s key bowlers in the title-winning campaign, finishing on 14 wickets, level with Jasprit Bumrah as the tournament’s top wicket-taker. He had taken nine wickets in his first four matches, when he was also the ICC’s number one ranked T20I bowler.
| Match | Performance |
|---|---|
| First four matches | 9 wickets |
| v Pakistan, Colombo | 2/17 in 3 overs, including Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed in the same over |
| Tournament total | 14 wickets, joint most with Jasprit Bumrah |
| Final v New Zealand | India won by 96 runs |
See the India vs Pakistan match report and our Jasprit Bumrah profile.
Major Records and Milestones
World number one
He was ranked the number one T20I bowler by the ICC.
Joint top wicket-taker
14 wickets at the 2026 T20 World Cup, level with Bumrah.
Three ICC and Asia titles
He is a member of India’s 2025 Champions Trophy, 2025 Asia Cup and 2026 T20 World Cup winning teams.
Wicket charts at KKR
He led Kolkata’s wicket charts in 2021, 2023, 2024 and, jointly, in 2025.
Greatest Spells
| Figures | Match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 5/17 | v South Africa, Gqeberha, T20I, 2024 | Best T20I figures |
| 5/24 | v England, Rajkot, T20I, 2025 | Second T20I five-wicket haul |
| 5/42 | v New Zealand, Dubai, Champions Trophy, 2025 | Best ODI figures, in a group-stage win |
| 2/17 | v Pakistan, Colombo, T20 World Cup, 2026 | Two wickets in one over as Pakistan collapsed |
| 4/15 | KKR, IPL 2023 | Best IPL figures of that season |
Bowling Style and Strengths
- Mystery variations: He mixes leg-breaks, googlies, sliders and carrom balls, and batters struggle to pick which one is coming.
- Control: He holds a length well and has a T20I strike rate of about 12, which means a wicket every two overs.
- Wicket-taker in the middle overs: He is trusted to break partnerships between overs 7 and 15.
- Big-match temperament: His best performances have come at global tournaments.
His main challenge has been going for runs when a good batter picks the variation. His T20I economy of about 7.9 is higher than that of most spinners, but he makes up for it with wickets.
Varun in the IPL
Varun made his IPL debut for Kings XI Punjab in 2019, and joined Kolkata Knight Riders in 2020. At KKR he led the wicket-taking charts in 2021, took 20 in 2023, took 21 in 2024 as they won the title, and took 17 in 2025, level with Vaibhav Arora.
Awards and Honours
T20 World Cup 2026
Winner, with 14 wickets
Champions Trophy 2025
Winner, with 5/42 against New Zealand
Asia Cup 2025
Winner with India
IPL 2024
Champion with Kolkata Knight Riders
Latest News
Varun is in India’s squad for the five T20Is in New Zealand, which started on 22 October and which India lead 2-0. His most recent T20I on record before the tour was the World Cup final against New Zealand on 8 March 2026. He competes for a place with Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, who are also in the squad. See the full India tour of New Zealand guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Varun Chakaravarthy?
He was born on 29 August 1991, so he is 35 as of October 2026.
How many T20I wickets does Varun Chakaravarthy have?
73 wickets as of March 2026, with best figures of 5/17.
What are Varun Chakaravarthy’s best ODI figures?
5/42 against New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Which IPL team does Varun Chakaravarthy play for?
Kolkata Knight Riders, since 2020.
How many wickets did Varun take at the T20 World Cup 2026?
14, level with Jasprit Bumrah as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
Is Varun Chakaravarthy in India’s squad for New Zealand?
Yes, he is in the T20I squad. He is not in the ODI or Test squads.
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