Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) star spinner Varun Chakravarthy has shared his thoughts on his IPL journey, handling expectations, and his dynamic partnership with Sunil Narine. He also reflected on his learnings from KKR’s championship-winning IPL 2024 campaign and ambitions for this season.
Chakravarthy emphasised on the importance of living in the present, explaining the past performance is not a guarantee of future success.
“The lesson is that you can have a great previous tournament, but again you have to start from scratch. That’s what cricket teaches you. You can have fantastic two or three tournaments, but in the next one, you have to start from zero. So, that’s what I’m preparing for—starting from scratch,” Chakravarthy said on JioHotstar while speaking on the biggest lesson from the title-winning campaign last year.
Discussing his approach to critical in-game situations, Chakravarthy shared the wisdom gained from playing high-pressure matches. “What I have learned till now is to just keep things very simple—don’t try to do something very different, don’t try to bowl a magic ball or create a magic moment. The most impactful thing you can do is stick to your basics, do them well, and execute them properly.”
Also Read: ‘Main goal is to get fourth star on jersey’ – KKR’s starboy Angkrish Raghuvanshi sets eyes on the prize
The mystery spinner also opened up the expectations that come with IPL cricket, and how he manages it. “Expectations have always been there from the first game I played, and it’s not just for me—it’s for every cricketer in the IPL. That’s how it is; it’s part and parcel of playing competitive cricket. So, you just need to focus on your process and not think too far ahead.”
Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, one of the tournament’s strongest bowling duos, have developed a strong understanding over the years. Chakravarthy also acknowledged Narine’s impact on his growth at KKR.
“Now that I’ve played five years alongside him—this is my sixth year with him—we don’t need to communicate as much anymore. He doesn’t have to spoon-feed me. Whatever I can learn, I can just observe what he is doing. Of course, if I have doubts, I always go up to him and talk to him. We have always bowled well in tandem, and he has been the most valuable player in T20 cricket from the very beginning. Even this year, he will be the MVP.”
Also Read: Sunil Narine was ahead of his time, I learned a lot from him when I was with KKR: Kuldeep Yadav
Asked about the batters he would most like to dismiss in IPL 2025, he named some of the top T20 stars. “Definitely any batsman who is in great form. Players like Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav—these guys are all the star players. I would be very happy if I could pick their wickets.”
[WATCH] IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane lights up Eden Gardens with audacious six off Mohammed Shami
NZ vs PAK 2025, 2nd ODI: Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan fined for slow over-rate
[WATCH] ‘Ungli chhod meri!’ – RCB youngster Swastik Chikara bites Virat Kohli’s finger, demands watch during birthday bash
[Watch] IPL 2025: Rinku Singh spills the beans on his personal favourites in fun interaction
