Varun Chakravarthy is not a typical cricketer. He did not play age-group cricket for his state, he had no coach or mentor, he had no fixed bowling style or any role model. He was a wicketkeeper-batsman, then a medium-pace bowler, then an architect, and finally a leg-spinner with seven variations. He is a self-made cricketer who overcame obstacles and made his mark in the game through his hard work, persistence, and passion.
His journey from being an architect to becoming a professional cricketer has been remarkable. In this article, we will look in detail at Varun Chakravarthy’s life, birth, age, caste, family, girlfriend, height, net worth, cricket career, sports statistics, and achievements.
Varun Chakravarthy Biography:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Varun Chakravarthy Vinod |
| Nick Name | Mystery Spinner |
| Date of Birth | 29 August, 1991 |
| Birth Place | Bidar, Karnataka |
| Age (as of 2024) | 33 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Profession | Cricketer |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Home Town/State | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| School | Kendriya Vidyalaya CLRI and then St. Patrick’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai |
| College | SRM University, Chennai |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate (Architecture) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hobbies | Traveling, Listening to Music |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Girlfriend | Neha Khedekar |
| Net Worth | INR 40 Crore |
Varun Chakravarthy’s Early Life and Education
Varun Chakravarthy was born on 29 August 1991 in Bidar, Karnataka. When he was 13 years old, he moved to Chennai with his family. He started playing cricket in school and college but was rejected multiple times in age-group trials. He decided to pursue a degree in architecture at SRM University in Chennai and left cricket for five years.
He worked as an architect for two years, but his love for the game never waned. Due to a knee injury, he left his job and joined a cricket academy where he began to focus on spin bowling. He impressed the coaches with his variety and control, and soon got the opportunity to play in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) Fourth Division League.
Varun Chakravarthy Family:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Father Name | C.V. Vinod Chakravarthy (Employee at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) |
| Mother Name | Malini Chakravarthy (Homemaker) |
| Sister(s) Name | Vandita Chakravarthy |
| Wife Name | Neha Khedekar |
| Coach/Mentor | Sriram Krishnamurthy |
Varun Chakravarthy Career
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm leg break |
| Teams | Tamil Nadu, Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Jersey No. | 29 |
| T20 Debut | Sri Lanka vs India, Colombo, 25 July 2021 |
| IPL Debut | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab, Eden Gardens, 27 March 2019 |
| First-class Debut | Hyderabad vs Tamil Nadu, Tirunelveli, 12-15 November 2018 |
| List A Debut | Tamil Nadu vs Gujarat, Chennai, 20 September 2018 |
The enigmatic leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy Vinod has made a significant impact in Indian cricket. He rapidly rose through the ranks and made his List A debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets in nine matches.
He also made his first-class debut in the same season, taking his first wicket against Hyderabad. His impressive performances caught the attention of IPL scouts, and he was bought by Kings XI Punjab for a whopping 8.4 crore in the 2019 auction.
However, he played only one match for them, conceding 25 runs in his first over. After the season, the franchise released him, and Kolkata Knight Riders purchased him for 4 crore in the 2020 auction.
His 2020 season with KKR was successful, where he took 17 wickets in 13 matches and became the only bowler in the tournament to take a five-wicket haul. He bewildered batsmen with his variety of deliveries, including leg-breaks, off-breaks, googlies, carrom balls, sliders, flippers, and top-spinners.
He was selected for the Indian T20 team for the tour of Australia but was sidelined due to a shoulder injury. He was again named in the Indian T20I team for the home series against England but failed the fitness test.
He eventually made his international debut in July 2021 against Sri Lanka and took his first wicket in his second match. He was also selected for the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he played six matches and took two wickets. His bowling action reminds many of Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis, adding to his mystery on the field.
Varun Chakravarthy Stats:
| Format | T20I | IPL |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 6 | 60 |
| Balls | 135 | 1372 |
| Runs (Bowling) | 132 | 1734 |
| Bowling Average | 66.0 | 26.3 |
| Bowling Strike Rate | 67.5 | 20.8 |
| Hundreds | 0 | 0 |
| Fifties | 0 | 0 |
| Catches | 0 | 13 |
| Wickets | 2 | 64 |
| 4W (Four-wicket haul) | 0 | 1 |
| 5W (Five-wicket haul) | 0 | 1 |
| Best Bowling | 1/18 | 5/20 |
| Best Score | 0 | 10 |
Varun Chakravarthy Net Worth:
Varun Chakravarthy’s net worth is approximately INR 40 crore. In the 2020 IPL auction, he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 4 crore. He continued to play for KKR at the same price of INR 4 crore in the 2021 IPL. His value significantly increased in the 2022 auction, where KKR retained him for a hefty price of INR 8 crore. For the 2023 season, KKR continued to invest in his talent, retaining him for INR 12 crore. In the upcoming 2024 IPL, Varun Chakravarthy will remain with KKR, with a salary of INR 12 crore.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Marriage to Neha Khedekar
Talented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend Neha Khedekar in a grand ceremony in Chennai on 11 December 2020. Their wedding was originally scheduled earlier in the year, but the coronavirus pandemic forced them to postpone the event. During the lockdown, Varun was in Chennai while Neha was in Mumbai.
In a delightful twist, Varun and Neha incorporated their love for cricket into their wedding celebration. In a video posted by KKR on Instagram, Varun is seen under-arm bowling to Neha on stage, cheered on by their friends and family. Neha stylishly executed a square-cut on the final delivery, adding a playful touch to their special day.
Varun Chakravarthy Physical Stats:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Height (Approx.) | 175 centimeters |
| Weight (Approx.) | 70 kilograms |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Body Measurements | 38-30-12 |
| Eye Color | Slate |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Hair Length | Short |
Varun Chakravarthy Social Media Handles:
- Instagram: @chakaravarthyvarun
- Twitter: @chakaravarthy29
- Facebook Page: VarunChakravarthyOfficial
Varun Chakravarthy’s journey in cricket has been quite fascinating. He has been a mysterious spinner who has overcome several challenges and failures. He has shown that there is never a delay in fulfilling one’s dreams.
