Former Team India captain and selector Kris Srikkanth said that spinner Varun Chakaravarthy does not get the attention he deserves despite delivering consistent performances. The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that batters have struggled to figure the Tamil Nadu spinner out in T20 cricket for more than a year.
Varun played a key role in India’s 17-run win over the Netherlands at the T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad. The 34-year-old picked up three wickets for 14 runs from three overs. He dismissed Max O’Dowd in his opening over and removed Colin Ackermann and Aryan Dutt on back-to-back deliveries in the 13th over.
Varun Chakaravarthy Would Have Been Celebrated Way More – Kris Srikkanth
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth stated that Varun Chakaravarthy does his job quietly and still doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He said that the spinner would be far more celebrated if he played from Mumbai.
“If he was from Mumbai, he would have been celebrated way more. The Mumbai media is a thing where if someone performs, they celebrate him wildly. Here, Varun just comes in and bowls quietly. No one hypes him and talks about him. People have not decoded him at all. For a spinner, he has a long run-up and bowls effortlessly,” Srikkanth said.
Varun Should Be a Contender for the Man of the Match – Kris Srikkanth
Srikkanth also questioned the Man of the Match discussion from India’s recent game. He stated that Shivam Dube played a fine innings but added that Varun’s spell of 3/14, including key top-order wickets, should have put him in strong contention for the award.
“No one gives much credit to Varun Chakaravarthy. Bumrah is fantastic. You won’t get a bowler like Bumrah. But Varun Chakaravarthy doesn’t get the credit,” Srikkanth continued.
“Though Dube played an amazing innings, why couldn’t he have been a contender for the Man of the Match? Nobody thought of it. Dube only deserved the award, but as a bowler, 3/14 with all top-order wickets, Varun should be a contender for the Man of the Match. They hardly give the award to bowlers.”
He’s a Modern-Day Great in the T20 Format – Kris Srikkanth on Varun Chakaravarthy
Kris Srikkanth feels Varun Chakaravarthy should be in the race for Player of the Tournament. The spinner has been outstanding in the group stage, taking nine wickets at an average of under seven and an economy rate of 5.16.
Srikkanth described Varun as a modern great in T20 cricket who is difficult to attack or defend against. He added that Varun’s impact is similar to what Jasprit Bumrah had a few years ago.
“He is the leader for the Player of the Tournament. Even if he gets hit, he gives away a maximum of 35 runs. And he takes a wicket or two in that, even then. But nobody gives him his actual due,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“He’s a modern-day great in the T20 format and has to be celebrated that way, which no one does. Nobody is able to play against him or even defend him. He is what Bumrah used to be a couple of years back. Bumrah is not at his peak now, though in this match, he returned to it,” he added.
