Islamabad, Mar 15 2025: India mystery spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy, has opened up about the emotional toll he endured after India’s shocking 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
In an exclusive interview, the 33-year-old spinner reflected on the challenging period that followed the defeat, a game in which Pakistan claimed its first-ever World Cup victory over India.
Chakaravarthy, who was playing his first match against Pakistan, struggled with the ball, finishing with disappointing figures of 0/33 from his four overs.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi led a clinical bowling attack, while openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan anchored the chase with solid half-centuries.
The early exit of the Men in Blue from the tournament followed, and Chakaravarthy found himself dropped from the national team for three years.
In his emotional recount, Chakaravarthy shared that the defeat plunged him into a dark period of depression. He felt immense regret for his performance, which he believed had let down the team and its supporters.
Furthermore, the spinner revealed that after the World Cup, he received numerous threat calls, with people tracking his house and following him on his travels.
The mystery spinner said these incidents led him to hide on several occasions, as the harassment escalated.
Despite these setbacks, Chakaravarthy made a triumphant return to international cricket in October 2024, with solid performances that earned him a spot in India’s squad for the 2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.
His exceptional display during the tournament, where he took nine wickets at an impressive average of 15.11, marked a successful comeback.
