"Rumour Or Someone Wanting To Sideline Me": KKR Star Varun Chakravarthy On Team India Absence

One of the most tricky spinners to face in the Indian circuit, Varun Chakravarthy was fast-tracked into the Indian team, owing to his exemplary performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Backed to turn into a match-winner for India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Varun didn't have the best of the tournament and hasn't played for the Indian team since. His performance in the IPL also dipped the following season but the mystery spinner is still annoyed over certain 'rumours' that have been floating around his fitness.

In an interview, Varun said that the extent of his injury was exaggerated by people. He isn't sure if it was just a rumour or if someone deliberately tried to spread fake news around in order to keep him away from the Indian national team.

"It was very tough because right after I finished the World Cup, it was not a big injury; it was a very small injury. It just took me two or three weeks to be back on track, but after that, I got sidelined, and people kept giving the same excuse that I am injured, but on the other hand, I was not injured all that while. I don't know, [if] it was just a rumour, or someone just wanting to spread this news about me so that they can sideline me. But that's how life is; it is unfair. It was very hard on me," he told CricXtasy.

"IPL 2022 was not a great season because what happened in 2021 after the World Cup got within me, and I was very desperate to be back in the Indian side. So I wanted to prove to everyone. I was being very desperate. I started changing many things in my bowling, which finally affected my mental peace, and I was not able to do my normal bowling also. So that IPL was bad for me," he further said.

Varun last played for India in November 2021 and hasn't since been in the reckoning in any of the three formats. The player admitted that he was desperate to wear the India colours again earlier but no longer has expectations.

"I took time off, and I understood what was happening to me. Now, it's all cool; I am not desperate anymore. I know how things work. Even the best of the best - there is news that they are going to sideline that person, so who am I? I don't have any expectations. Let's see whatever comes my way - I will do my best.

"The best thing is to accept the reality. There's no one out there in the competitive world who is going to really help you or think good for you. Everyone has their own competition; everyone has their own struggles. I can't go run behind people and cry to them, 'Why are you not picking me? I am feeling bad; I am feeling depressed. I won't come to this match.' It's not professional. The best thing I can do is just turn up for the matches, do my best, and rest, leave it to the almighty, and whatever happens, happens. The rumours - it did create a very big dent in my career, but I have just accepted it," he asserted.

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team Kolkata Knight Riders Varun Chakaravarthy Cricket