India’s spin-bouling sensation Varun Chakraborty recalled a difficult phase of his life, revealing that he was threatened through phone calls after his disappointing performance in India’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign in UAE. Varun said that he was warned against returning to India and all the ways were followed for their home in Chennai after India’s disappointing out of the tournament.
Varun Chakraborty admitted that his international career was over when he was removed from the squad after the T20 World Cup in 2021. The Kolkata Knight Riders spinner made his debut against Sri Lanka in the T20I series in July 2021 and joined the Virat Kohli-T20 World Cup squad that year.
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Varun played three matches for India but failed to take a single wicket. He was part of the bowling line-up in India Pakistan lost 10 wickets notorious India’s first defeat in Pakistan in Dubai-Cup Cup stability.
“It was a dark time for me. I was in depression because I felt that I was chosen with a lot of publicity for the World Cup. I could not do justice after not taking a wicket.
“I had to change a lot about myself (after 2021). I had to change my routine, practice. Earlier, I used to practice 50 balls in a session, I doubled it. Without leaving that the selectors would remember me, it was difficult. After the third year, I felt that it was all that it had gone. We won the IPL and then I was very happy again.
“I am not able to believe that all good things are happening at once. I want to take it to the next level. I have faced failures, and I know how bad criticism can be.
“After the 2021 World Cup, I received a danger call.” Do not come to India. If you try, you will not be able to. “People came to my house, track me-I had to hide many times. When I was returning from the airport, some people chased me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand that the fans are emotional.
He said, “But when I look at those things and now I am happy, I am happy,” he said.
Varun on Champions Trophy hero
Varun made a stunning comeback in international cricket in October 2024 after a successful tenure in the Indian Premier League with KKR during his winning campaign last year.
Since his comeback, Varun has been in a fine form, his T20I hero earned him a place in India’s Champions Trophy squad. The mystery spinner left his mark in Dubai, taking nine wickets in three matches, including five wickets in a group-step game against New Zealand.
In the semi -finals against Australia, Varun took a significant wicket of Travis Head, which helped India cross its long -term rivals. In the final, he claimed two wickets against New Zealand as Rohit Sharma’s men raised the trophy on Sunday, 9 March.
Uprooted his demons in Dubai during Champions TrophyVarun described India’s winning campaign as an incredible experience. The spinner performed his ODI in January only during a domestic series against England before being summoned to the Champions Trophy in January. He initially heated the bench against Bangladesh and Pakistan before strengthening his place in Xi.
“I think the Champions Trophy was a great confidence booster because I played only four matches. And when I performed well in those matches, I felt that I was related and there was a place for me.
“But I did not expect this success. After the conclusion of the T20I series in Mumbai, I was preparing to return to Chennai. I also got tickets for Chennai. But the next morning, I was told that I was in a day team too and was asked to come to Nagpur.
“I didn’t expect it. I did not take any clothes or anything for him. I asked my family to send goods to Nagpur.
“And then I made my debut in the second ODI. Even after the third ODI in Ahmedabad, I got a ticket for Chennai. But then he told me,” You are coming to Dubai for Champions Trophy. “I could not believe it.
“Then in Dubai, I did not play the first two matches. I felt that I would not get a chance and was prepared to carry the drink. But in the third match, I played. It changed after that.
“Even when I was ready for the first two matches, I was practicing. I wanted to get some opportunities, even though it was as a substitute fielder. I was in that mentality. After the second match, Gautam Gambhir came and talked to me.” He is going to play, “he said.
Varun will continue his good run in IPL 2025, starting on March 22, to defend the champion Kolkata Knight Riders.
