Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy finished 2025 as the leading wicket-taker in T20Is among Test-playing nations. The 34-year-old mystery spinner impressed everyone in the fifth and final T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad, taking four wickets for 53 runs in his four overs. He ended the series with 10 wickets at an average of 11.20 and an economy rate of 7.46, earning the 'Player of the Series' award.
In 2025, Varun played 20 matches and 18 innings, taking 36 wickets at an average of 13.19 with an economy of 7.08. His best figures were 5/24, including one five-wicket haul and four four-fers. He tied with Pakistan's Mohammed Nawaz for the most wickets by a bowler from a playing nation this year and became India’s second-highest T20I wicket-taker in a calendar year, behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had 37 wickets in 2022.
Varun continued his strong performance against South Africa, claiming 22 wickets in eight matches at an average of 11.36 and an economy rate of 8.06. In the final T20I, India batted first after losing the toss. Openers Sanju Samson (37 off 22 balls) and Abhishek Sharma (34 off 21 balls) gave a blazing start with a 63-run partnership. Tilak and Hardik Pandya then added 105 runs for the fourth wicket, helping India reach 231/5 in 20 overs. Corbin Bosch was South Africa's best bowler with 2/44.
During the chase, Quinton de Kock scored 65 off 35 balls for South Africa, but after Varun dismissed Reeza Hendricks, wickets fell regularly. South Africa could only manage 201/8 in 20 overs, losing the match by 30 runs. Jasprit Bumrah also bowled well, taking 2/17, while Arshdeep Singh picked up one wicket. Hardik Pandya was named 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance.
Varun Chakravarthy’s remarkable year with the ball has established him as a key spinner for India in T20 cricket and highlighted his skill in bamboozling batters with his mystery deliveries.
English
