Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath has praised Varun Chakaravarthy, currently ranked as the world’s number one T20I bowler, stating he is more valuable than Jasprit Bumrah.In the recent five-match T20I series between India and Australia, Chakaravarthy, aged 34, demonstrated his bowling prowess. He participated in all five matches and secured five wickets in three innings, while effectively restricting Australian batsmen.
“Numbers tell us that Varun Chakaravarthy is the No. 1 T20 bowler in the world. He is more valuable than even Bumrah. Whenever the runs are flowing in the powerplay or the middle overs or even in the 18th over, Varun is the go-to bowler. He has gone to a different level with his game. A superb comeback after being given a chance initially and getting dropped because of fitness. But in this second phase after his comeback, he has taken his game to the next level,” Badrinath told Star Sports. “He’s a huge asset for India, in fact, even a weapon. Going forward, with the T20 World Cup in India, he will be the most crucial factor. If Varun has a good day, there is a great chance the Indian team will have a good day.”Chakaravarthy’s journey in international cricket began with his T20I debut for India in 2021. However, he was dropped from the team following a disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2021.His return to the national side came last year after an impressive showing in IPL 2024. Since then, he has consistently performed well for India.His statistics reflect his improved performance. In 2024, he claimed 17 wickets in seven T20I matches. His form continued into 2025, where he has taken 26 wickets in 16 matches.The recent series against Australia, which India won 2-1, further solidified Chakaravarthy’s position as a key player in the team. His ability to contain runs and take crucial wickets has made him an invaluable asset for the Indian cricket team.
