India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has opened up about the emotional challenges he faced during his nearly three-year absence from the national team. Chakravarthy made a triumphant return, claiming three key wickets in India's dominant win over Bangladesh, dismissing Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, and Rishad Hossain with his skilful overspin.
In a candid post-match press conference, Varun shared the emotional roller coaster he experienced while being away from the team. "Whenever a squad was announced, I would always wonder, 'Why isn’t my name there?' It was a constant thought that affected me," he said. Chakravarthy also credited his family for their unwavering support during this challenging time. "My family has seen me at my worst and helped me through all of it," he added.
Despite the setbacks, being left out of the squad fueled Varun's determination to improve. He emphasised the importance of playing domestic cricket and giving his best in every tournament. "That motivation pushed me to work harder and aim for a comeback. Focusing on domestic games helped me regain my form," Varun stated.
Speaking about the match and team dynamics, Chakravarthy praised the healthy competition within the Indian squad. He specifically mentioned fellow spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who supported him throughout the match, even though Bishnoi had been dropped from the playing XI to make way for Varun. "Ravi was cheering me on the whole time. It’s great to have such camaraderie and competition that drives everyone to perform better," Varun said.
India's victory against Bangladesh was comprehensive, with the team restricting their opponents to 127 runs and chasing down the target in just 11.5 overs. Hardik Pandya shone with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 39 off 16 balls to lead India to a dominant win.