Varun has not played at the national level since the end of the T20 World Cup 2021.
Varun Chakravarthy, a prominent spinner in Indian cricket, rose to the Indian team quickly due to his outstanding performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. With high expectations for him to be a game-changer for India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Varun struggled to perform well in the tournament, resulting in his absence from the national team. Additionally, his IPL performance declined in the following season, causing him distress due to rumors about his fitness.
In an interview, Varun expressed his frustration over exaggerated reports regarding his injury. Uncertain if it was merely a rumor or a deliberate attempt to hinder his return to the national team, he remains deeply bothered by the situation.
“After the World Cup, it was not a big injury; it was a small injury. It only took me two or three weeks to get back on track, but after that, I was sidelined, and people kept claiming I was injured, though I was not. I don’t know if it was just a rumor or someone wanting to sideline me. But that’s life; it is unfair. It was very hard on me,” he told CricXtasy.
“IPL 2022 was not a great season because what happened in 2021 after the World Cup got within me, and I was very desperate to be back in the Indian side. So I wanted to prove to everyone. I started changing many things in my bowling, which finally affected my mental peace, and I was not able to do my normal bowling also. So that IPL was bad for me,” he further said.
Varun’s last appearance for the Indian cricket team was in November 2021, and since then, he has not been considered for selection in any format. The player openly acknowledged his strong desire to represent India once more in the past but has now let go of any expectations.
“I took time off, and I understood what was happening to me. Now, it’s all cool; I am not desperate anymore. I know how things work. Even the best of the best – there is news that they are going to sideline that person, so who am I? I don’t have any expectations. Let’s see whatever comes my way – I will do my best.
“The best thing is to accept the reality. There’s no one out there in the competitive world who is going to really help you or think good for you. Everyone has their own competition; everyone has their own struggles. I can’t go run behind people and cry to them, ‘Why are you not picking me? I am feeling bad; I am feeling depressed. I won’t come to this match.’ It’s not professional. The best thing I can do is just turn up for the matches, do my best, and rest, leave it to the almighty, and whatever happens, happens. The rumors – it did create a very big dent in my career, but I have just accepted it,” he asserted.
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