Varun Chakaravarthy Reveals Threat Calls After T20 World Cup: ‘Told Not to Come to India’

Varun Chakaravarthy Reveals Threat Calls After T20 World Cup: Varun Chakaravarthy represented India as a spin bowler and had quite a redemption journey. From the 2021 T20 World Cup where he underperformed, he emerged as the x-factor player of the Champions Trophy winning team. The recently held eight-team tournament saw the mystery spinner play three matches-taking nine wickets-in such a way that India clinched the title. The now-33-year-old opened up about the "dark phase" following the T20 World Cup where he received threat calls telling him not to return to the country.

For the uninitiated, Varun Chakaravarthy was drafted to the squad of India for the T20 World Cup in 2021 because of his performance in the IPL but could not bowl well and took no wickets. He was also in that Indian team which got defeated by Pakistan in the most infamous 10-wicket defeat.

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Varun has stated that he fell into 'depression' when the tournament ended because he was unable to do justice to being selected in the national side, as well as some people following him on their bikes back to his house after landing in the country.

"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. I regretted not taking even one wicket. After that, for three years, I was not selected. So, I think the comeback to the team was tougher than the path to my debut," Varun told Gobinath in a chat on YouTube.

"After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. People said, 'Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to'. People approached my house and tracked me down, and I sometimes had to hide. When I was returning from the airport, some people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional," he added.

'Had to change a lot about myself'

Varun Chakaravarthy, who took five wickets against New Zealand during the Champions Trophy group stage, said he had to change very, very much about his game from the 2021 T20 World Cup disaster. He elaborated on the difference in his daily routine and practice schedule.

In the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia and final against New Zealand, Varun scalped two wickets each. In the final, Varun was the one who provided the opening wicket of Will Young when the Kiwis were going strong, looking set for a big total.

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"I had to change a lot about myself (after 2021). I had to change my daily routine, practice. Earlier, I used to practise 50 balls in a session. I doubled it. Without even knowing whether the selectors would recall me, it was difficult. After the third year, I thought it was all gone. We won the IPL and then I got the call-I was very happy after that," said Varun.

"I cannot believe that all good things are happening in one go. I want to take it to the next level. I have faced setbacks and know how bad the criticism can be. But when I look back at those things and the praise I am receiving now, I am happy," he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin, a former Indian spinner, stated recently that Varun should have received the Player of the Tournament award for being the biggest difference in the tournament.

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