Varun Chakravarthy's Test selection on the cards? Spinner makes huge revelation
Published - 15 Mar 2025, 01:18 PM
Team India mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has opened up about his aspiration to play for the national cricket team in Test cricket. However, Varun Chakravarthy admitted that his bowling style does not suit the longer format, adding that he cannot bowl long spells required in red-ball cricket.
Varun played a crucial role in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory. Notably, he missed the first two matches in the tournament. Varun ended the tournament as India's leading wicket-taker. The 33-year-old took nine wickets in three games at an impressive average of 15.11 and an economy rate of 4.53.
India to Face England in Five-Match Test Series
After their 2025 Champions Trophy triumph, India's next challenge is a five-Test series in England. The Indian side has been struggling in Test cricket. They suffered a whitewash defeat to New Zealand at home, followed by a 1-3 loss against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.
India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the first time. The team will aim to carry their winning momentum into the England series and bounce back in red-ball cricket. Team selection remains a major talking point, especially as this will be their first series in the new WTC cycle.
I Have an Interest in Test Cricket, But... - Varun Chakravarthy
Speaking on a podcast with Gobinath, Varun Chakravarthy admitted that he is interested in Test cricket. Varun revealed that Test cricket demands bowlers to deliver 20-30 overs per day, but he can only manage 10-15 overs at most due to his style.
“I do (have an interest in Test cricket), but my bowling style doesn’t suit Test cricket,” while speaking in a podcast with Gobinath on his YouTube channel, Varun said.
“Mine is almost like medium pace. In Test cricket, you’ve to continuously bowl 20-30 overs. I can’t do that in my bowling. Since I bowl quick, the maximum I can bowl is 10-15 overs which is not suited for red ball. I am focusing on 20 overs and 50 overs white ball cricket for now,” he added.
You Don’t See Many Fast Bowlers from Tamil Nadu - Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy stated that he has no regrets about switching from pace bowling to spin. The Tamil Nadu cricketer started as a wicketkeeper before transitioning to fast bowling during college. However, an injury forced him to take up spin, which ultimately helped him reach the Indian team.
Varun mentioned that Tamil Nadu pitches favor spinners over pacers. He stated that pacers from the state are rare, but his shift to spin proved beneficial. He also pointed out that even Ravichandran Ashwin made a similar transition.
“No. That’s why I am here. I would’ve been stuck there had I bowled pace. There are so many pacers. Also, it doesn’t swing in Tamil Nadu wickets. They are spin-friendly wickets. So you can’t see many fast bowlers from Tamil Nadu," Varun said.
"It is very rare. There is Balaji and Natarajan but there are many pacers in other states. I am happy that I left fast bowling. Even (Ravichandran) Ashwin became a spinner after leaving fast bowling. So I am happy,” he concluded.
