Career Timeline of Varun Chakravarthy: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 5, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Varun Chakravarthy made an impact.

Varun Chakravarthy is an Indian international cricketer, a right-arm leg spin bowler for the India national team. Domestically, he represents Tamil Nadu and plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL. He contributed to India's victories in the 2025 Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. In December 2025, he achieved the highest ICC rating ever for an Indian bowler in Twenty20 Internationals, reaching 818 points.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2017: Shift to Spin Bowling

In early 2017, Varun Chakravarthy switched to spin bowling after a knee injury sidelined him for six months, after starting out as a pace bowler.

September 2018: List A Debut for Tamil Nadu

On September 20, 2018, Varun Chakravarthy made his List A debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy season.

November 2018: First-Class Debut for Tamil Nadu

On November 12, 2018, Varun Chakravarthy made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy edition.

December 2018: Bought by Kings XI Punjab

In December 2018, Varun Chakravarthy was bought by the Kings XI Punjab in the player auction for the 2019 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for ₹84 million (US$990,000).

March 2019: Twenty20 Debut for Kings XI Punjab

On March 27, 2019, Varun Chakravarthy made his Twenty20 debut for Kings XI Punjab against Kolkata Knight Riders, conceding 25 runs in his first over, the highest by a debutant in the IPL.

October 2020: Named in India's T20I Squad

In October 2020, Varun Chakravarthy was selected for India's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the series against Australia.

October 2020: First Five-Wicket Haul in IPL

On October 24, 2020, Varun Chakravarthy achieved his first five-wicket haul in the IPL, taking 5 wickets for 20 runs against the Delhi Capitals.

February 2021: Named in T20I Squad Against England

In February 2021, Varun Chakravarthy was named in India's T20I squad for the home series against England.

June 2021: Named in ODI and T20I Squads

In June 2021, Varun Chakravarthy was named in India's One Day International (ODI) and T20I squads for the away series against Sri Lanka.

July 2021: T20I Debut

On July 25, 2021, Varun Chakravarthy made his T20I debut in the first match against Sri Lanka, taking the wicket of Dasun Shanaka.

September 2021: Named in India's T20 World Cup Squad

In September 2021, Varun Chakravarthy was named in the Indian squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

2023: Top Wicket-Taker for Knight Riders

In the 2023 IPL seasons, Varun Chakravarthy topped the wicket charts for the Knight Riders.

October 2024: International Comeback

In October 2024, Varun Chakravarthy made his international comeback after nearly three years in the first T20I against Bangladesh, taking three wickets.

November 2024: Maiden T20I Five-Wicket Haul

On November 10, 2024, Varun Chakravarthy took his maiden T20I five-wicket haul, finishing with 5/17 in the second match against South Africa, and became the series' highest wicket taker with 12 dismissals.

2024: Second-Highest Wicket-Taker in IPL Season

During the 2024 IPL season, Varun Chakravarthy was the second-highest wicket-taker with 21 dismissals, averaging 19.14 with an economy rate of 8.04.

February 2025: Named in Champions Trophy Squad

In February 2025, Varun Chakravarthy was named in India's 15-member squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

September 2025: Asia Cup Participation

In September 2025, Varun Chakravarthy was part of the Indian squad for the 2025 Asia Cup, finishing as the second highest wicket taker for India with seven wickets, as India won the title.

December 2025: Highest Rated Indian Bowler in T20Is

In December 2025, Varun Chakravarthy became the highest rated Indian bowler ever in the ICC rankings for Twenty20 Internationals with 818 points.

2025: Player of the Series Award

In early 2025, Varun Chakravarthy won the Player of the Series award in the five-match T20I series against England after taking 14 wickets, including a five-wicket haul (5/24).