Born in Bidar, Karnataka, on August 29, 1991, Varun Chakravarthy Vinod is a remarkable example of tenacity and creativity. Chakravarthy’s journey from architect to Indian international cricket player is truly remarkable. He has made a name for himself in domestic and international cricket as a leg-spin bowler, playing for the Indian national team, Tamil Nadu, and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
Childhood and Schooling
Family
Varun was born into a multicultural family; his mother, Malini, is Kannadiga, and his father, Vinod Chakravarthy, is an ITS officer with Tamil and Malayali ancestry who works for BSNL. Varun spent his early years studying and playing cricket while growing up in Adyar, Chennai. He first played wicketkeeping and batsman at Kendriya Vidyalaya CLRI before transferring to St. Patrick’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School.
Despite his passion for cricket, he gave it up to concentrate on his studies, eventually graduating from SRM University with a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
Varun made the decision to give up his job as an architect at the age of 25 in order to pursue his love of cricket again. He started out as a pace bowler, but a 2017 knee injury ended up being a boon since it allowed him to experiment with and become an expert at spin bowling.
Domestic Career: A Rising Star
Varun made his breakthrough in the 2018 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), helping the Madurai Panthers win their first championship with a remarkable performance that included nine wickets at an economy rate of 4.70. His variations
In the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he made his List A debut and finished as Tamil Nadu’s top wicket-taker with 22 dismissals in 9 games. He made his first appearance in first-class cricket at the Ranji Trophy that same season. His selection by Kings XI Punjab in the 2019 IPL auction for an incredible ₹8.4 crores was a result of these performances. When Varun was selected by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2020 IPL, his skill and tenacity were evident despite a difficult debut season. He solidified his position as a vital member of KKR with his five-wicket haul against the Delhi Capitals that year.
Varun took 21 wickets at a remarkable average of 19.14, making him the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2024 IPL. His outstanding play continued into the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2024–25 where he improved his reputation as a reliable player by taking 18 wickets in 6 games.
Global Career: Getting New Horizons
Varun’s international career started in 2020 when he was added to India’s T20I team, but he made his debut against Sri Lanka in July 2021. Despite his lackluster early performances, he settled into a routine in 2024, most notably taking 3/31 against Bangladesh and recording his first-ever T20I five-wicket haul (5/17) against South Africa.
He took 14 wickets in five games and won Player of the Series in 2025, helping India defeat England in their series. In the same year, he became one of India’s oldest ODI debutants at the age of 33. Varun’s performance at the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025
He took 14 wickets in five games and won Player of the Series in 2025, helping India defeat England in their series. In the same year, he became one of India’s oldest ODI debutants at the age of 33. Varun had an incredible 2025 ICC Champions Trophy performance and played a key role in India’s triumph. He was one of the best bowlers in the tournament thanks to his five-wicket haul against New Zealand in the group stages and his steady play in the semifinals and final.
Style and Variations of Playing
The seven variations in Varun’s repertoire
Offbreak, legbreak, googly, carrom ball, flipper, topspinner, and a cunning slider meant to york batsmen—make him a “mystery spinner.” This repertoire along with his aptitude
Ending remarks
Varun’s positive COVID-19 test during the IPL season in 2021 caused the event to be postponed. He came back stronger despite the disappointment and kept performing well in both domestic and foreign cricket.
From architecture to cricket, Varun Chakravarthy’s path shows tenacity and flexibility. His ascent as a mystery spinner has been a narrative of constant learning and tenacity, motivating many future cricketers. Varun is still a key benefit for Indian cricket given his unusual combination of abilities and commitment; he shows that pursuing one’s aspirations is always possible.
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Varun Chakravarthy Vinod |
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Bidar, Karnataka, India |
| Parents | Vinod Chakravarthy (ITS Officer) and Malini (Housewife) |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from SRM University |
| Early Career | Wicketkeeper-batsman during school; shifted to architecture before returning to cricket at age 25 |
| Specialization | Mystery spin bowling |
| Domestic Teams | Tamil Nadu (domestic cricket), Madurai Panthers (TNPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL) |
| IPL Career Highlights | Five-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals in 2020; second-highest wicket-taker in 2024 IPL |
| International Debut | T20I debut on July 25, 2021, against Sri Lanka; ODI debut in February 2025 against England |
| International Highlights | Five-wicket hauls in T20I (5/17 vs South Africa) and ODI (5/42 vs New Zealand in 2025 ICC Champions Trophy); Player of the Series against England in 2025 T20Is |
| Personal Life | Married Neha Khedekar in December 2020; appeared in Tamil film Jeeva |
| Notable Achievements | Player of the Series in 2025 T20I series against England; key contributor to India’s 2025 ICC Champions Trophy victory |
| Playing Style | Mystery spinner with seven variations: offbreak, legbreak, googly, carrom ball, flipper, topspinner, and slider |
| Resilience | Overcame knee injury to transform from a pace bowler to a spinner; battled COVID-19 during 2021 IPL |
Q&A on Varun Chakravarthy
Q: What is Varun Chakravarthy’s full name?
A: Varun Chakravarthy Vinod
