Varun Chakravarthy has been selected in India’s T20I squad for their upcoming series against Australia later this year. The KKR pacer has been in superb form in this IPL 2020. In a full-strength squad, on a tour to Australia. And for someone who’s played just one First Class match, it’s a dream come true moment. Tamil Nadu and Kolkata Knight Riders mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, finds himself in a “Living The Dream” scenario. After the match got over I got to know (of my selection into the Indian team). I keep using the same word again and again, it feels surreal,” he told BCCI.tv at the end of the match against Kings XI Punjab on Monday (October 26). This selection comes on the back of a serious performance against the Delhi Capitals, where Chakravarthy ended up with figures of 5 for 20, a feat that got Harbhajan Singh raving about his performance on Twitter, calling him ‘India material’. My basic goal was to play in the team regularly and perform and contribute to their wins. Hopefully I’ll be able to do the same for India. I am not very active on social media and I have to thank the selectors for keeping the faith in me. I don’t really have words.”
From an architect-turned-professional cricketer who lit up the Tamil Nadu Premier League(TNPL) a couple of years ago, to having five teams bid for him at the 2019 IPL auctions for an eventual INR 8.4 crore deal at Kings XI Punjab, to getting carted around by Narine for 25 runs in his first over, to finally finding redemption at Kolkata, it’s been some journey for the 29-year-old. Around 2015, when I was not making a lot of money (the switch from being an architect to becoming a cricketer), was freelancing and wasn’t able to meet my needs, I thought I would do something different, that’s when I turned to cricket. I still do it, I like that as well (being an architect).” At Sharjah, though, he was clearly in a daze as he receives the news of his national callup. Life has indeed turned around.
“I’ll talk to my parents, my fiance. I’ll just talk to them, share the happiness with them. It is just good news for my family. I’m really short of words right now, India call up is big thing. I really wasn’t expecting it.” Chakravarthy now has an opportunity to make it large and make a name for himself in the international arena. He will have to be at his best if he has to make it into the playing XI as he faces tough competition in the form of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. KKR fans would also hope that his joy of getting selected in the Indian team reflects in his game for KKR in the ongoing IPL 2020.