Varun Chakaravarthy’s rise in T20 cricket has been anything but conventional. He first caught attention in the 2018/19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he picked up 22 wickets at an average of 16.68, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker of the season. That breakthrough earned him a hefty INR 8.4 Crore deal with Punjab Kings in the TATA IPL 2019 auction, making him the most expensive uncapped player that year. Moving to KKR later, Varun evolved into a premier mystery spinner. He led their wicket charts in 2020 (20 wickets), 2021 (18) and 2023 (20), consistently delivering breakthroughs. His impact peaked in 2024, when he claimed 21 wickets at an average of 19.14, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker and playing a key role in KKR’s title-winning campaign. His consistency has also earned him opportunities with India, featuring in two T20 World Cups, including the victorious 2026 edition. Retained for INR 12 Crore ahead of 2025 and again for 2026, Varun’s bowling partnership with Sunil Narine would be key to KKR’s bowling attack in this season.