'Started cricket late': Chakravarthy believes he's only halfway through his career

Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner from India, continues to defy expectations despite facing setbacks throughout his career. At 35, he has already experienced a T20 World Cup triumph, an IPL season marked by injuries, and his first muscle injury, which forced him to undergo rehabilitation. However, Chakravarthy remains undeterred, stating that he still feels he is only halfway through his career due to his late start in cricket.

Chakravarthy's unconventional rise to prominence has been driven by his preference for incremental improvements rather than lofty goals. After recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring injury, he is set to participate in a series of upcoming matches, including three T20Is against Afghanistan, a historic one-off international against Japan, and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where India begins their journey in the quarterfinals.

When he returned from injury, Chakravarthy discovered that he had never experienced a muscle injury before, unlike his previous impact injuries. He underwent extensive rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, focusing on rebuilding confidence alongside physical strength. Chakravarthy believes that injury lay-offs provide opportunities to work on aspects of the game that are often overlooked during continuous competition.

One of the key factors in Chakravarthy's bowling technique is the footwear he wears. He has been using ASICS shoes since around 2022, before signing a formal endorsement deal in 2026. Chakravarthy emphasizes the importance of broad shoes in the toe area and a supportive heel counter for spinners, as their feet undergo significant changes due to the pivoting motion. He believes that attention to such details contributes to his overall success as a bowler.

Beyond cricket, Chakravarthy is excited about participating in the Asian Games, which begin on September 19. He expresses enthusiasm about meeting athletes from various disciplines, such as 100-metre sprinters and badminton players, as he believes that exposure to different sporting cultures and training methods can provide valuable insights and foster adaptability on the cricket field.