'After 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls - 'Don't come to India'': Champions Trophy winner Varun Chakaravarthy
Varun Chakaravarthy (PTI Photo)Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.READ ALSO:NEW DELHI: Once Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Champions Trophy , few could have predicted the impact mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy would go on to make. Drafted into the squad as the fifth spinner, Chakravarthy turned out to be India’s X-factor, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker with nine scalps in just three matches.Speaking to anchor Gobinath on his YouTube channel, the 33-year-old opened up about the dark phase after the 2021 T20 World Cup and how the recent success has helped him heal."It was a dark time for me. I was in depression because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the World Cup with a lot of hype," he said."I am not able to believe that all good things are happening in one go. I want to take it to the next level."Varun revealed that the backlash post-2021 was more than just criticism."After the 2021 World Cup , I received threat calls. 'Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to.' People came up to my house, tracked me down -- I had to hide at times. When I was returning from the airport, a couple of people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional. But when I look back... I am happy."His selection for the ODI leg came as a surprise after the T20I series in Mumbai."I even got the tickets for Chennai. But the next morning, I was told that I was in the one-day team too and was asked to come to Nagpur.""I think the Champions Trophy was a huge confidence booster," he added. "I felt I belonged and that there was a place for me."With IPL 2025 around the corner, Chakravarthy, who will be donning the Kolkata Knight Riders colours, is focused on maintaining the momentum.
Most Popular
