In the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, where innovation meets raw skill, Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy has scripted a remarkable tale of perseverance and emulation. On September 17, 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the latest T20I bowling rankings, and at the summit stood Chakravarthy, dethroning his compatriot and idol, Jasprit Bumrah. This ascent isn’t just a statistical milestone; it’s a narrative of inspiration, where Chakravarthy openly credits Bumrah’s influence for molding his career. From a late bloomer in professional cricket to the world’s number one T20I bowler, Chakravarthy’s journey is a testament to how emulating greatness can propel one to the pinnacle.
The Rise of a Mystery Spinner
Varun Chakravarthy, born on August 29, 1991, in Madras (now Chennai), entered the cricketing fray relatively late. A civil engineer by training, he juggled a corporate job with club cricket before committing fully to the sport. His breakthrough came in the 2020 IPL season with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where his unique leg-spin repertoire—featuring the carrom ball and sharp googlies—turned heads. Bowlers like him, who grip the ball differently and impart unpredictable variations, are often dubbed “mystery spinners,” a tag that suits Chakravarthy’s enigmatic style perfectly.
Chakravarthy’s international debut arrived in 2021 during India’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Though inconsistent initially, his performances in domestic cricket and the IPL kept him in contention. The 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA, marked a turning point. With India clinching the title under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, Chakravarthy’s economical spells and timely wickets were pivotal. He claimed 11 wickets in six matches at an average of 15.27, including a standout 3/28 against South Africa in the semi-final. This tournament not only boosted his confidence but also elevated his ranking points, setting the stage for his current dominance.
Emulating the Unemulatable: Jasprit Bumrah’s Shadow
What makes Chakravarthy’s story particularly compelling is his candid admission of emulating Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, the pace sensation known for his unorthodox action, pinpoint yorkers, and ability to swing the ball both ways, has been a game-changer for Indian cricket. Since his debut in 2016, Bumrah has redefined fast bowling in T20s, boasting an economy rate under 7 and over 80 international wickets. His resilience, especially post-injury comebacks, has made him a role model for aspiring bowlers.
Chakravarthy, a spinner, drawing inspiration from a pacer might seem incongruous at first. Yet, in interviews, he has revealed that it’s Bumrah’s mental fortitude and preparation that he admires most. “Jasprit bhai’s approach to the game—his focus on fitness, visualization, and executing under pressure—is what I try to replicate,” Chakravarthy said in a post-match press conference after India’s series win against Australia in late 2024. He even adopted elements of Bumrah’s training regimen, including yoga for flexibility and strength workouts to enhance his bowling stamina.
This emulation extends to tactical acumen. Bumrah’s mastery of death bowling—delivering yorkers in the slog overs—has influenced Chakravarthy to develop similar variations in the middle overs. While Bumrah relies on seam movement, Chakravarthy uses flight and dip to deceive batsmen. The result? A hybrid bowler who can stifle runs and strike when it matters. In the ongoing 2025 T20I series against England, Chakravarthy’s 4/17 in the second T20I mirrored Bumrah’s precision, earning him the Player of the Match and propelling him to the top spot.
The Rankings Leap: A Closer Look
The ICC T20I rankings are calculated based on players’ performances over the last 12-24 months, with recent matches weighted more heavily. Prior to the latest update, Bumrah held the numero uno position with 740 rating points, thanks to his exploits in the 2024 World Cup and bilateral series. Chakravarthy, ranked fourth with 680 points, needed a stellar showing to overtake him.
The catalyst was India’s 2-1 series victory over England in a three-match T20I rubber earlier this month. In the decider at Manchester, Chakravarthy dismantled England’s middle order, taking 3/22 in a low-scoring thriller that India won by 6 runs. This performance added crucial points, pushing his tally to 752—surpassing Bumrah’s 748. Adil Rashid of England slipped to third, while South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj rounded out the top four.
This isn’t Chakravarthy’s first brush with the top echelons. He briefly touched second place after the World Cup, but inconsistencies in the subsequent Asia Cup led to a dip. His resurgence can be attributed to fine-tuning his action under the guidance of India’s spin coach, Ravindra Jadeja, and incorporating Bumrah-inspired mental cues. “Watching Bumrah bowl in nets, I learned to stay calm amid chaos,” Chakravarthy noted, highlighting how these lessons translated into match-winning spells.
Impact on Indian Cricket and Beyond
Chakravarthy’s rise has profound implications for Indian cricket. With Bumrah anchoring the pace attack, the emergence of a world-class spinner addresses a long-standing vulnerability in T20Is. Post the retirements of stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin and the aging Yuzvendra Chahal, Chakravarthy steps into a leadership role for the spin department. His ambidextrous variations—he can bowl both leg-spin and off-spin—add unpredictability, much like Bumrah’s versatility with the new ball.
For KKR, Chakravarthy’s IPL form has been electric. In the 2025 season, he snared 18 wickets, contributing to their playoff push. Globally, his success has sparked interest in mystery spin, with young bowlers in Australia and England experimenting with similar grips. The ICC rankings now feature three Indians in the top five (Bumrah at 2, Chakravarthy at 1, and Arshdeep Singh at 5), underscoring the depth in India’s bowling unit.
Moreover, Chakravarthy’s story resonates beyond the boundary. As a late starter who overcame a career-threatening back injury in 2019, he embodies resilience. His emulation of Bumrah isn’t blind copying but a selective adaptation, proving that greatness inspires evolution rather than imitation. In a format dominated by batsmen, bowlers like him restore balance, making T20 cricket a true contest.
Challenges Ahead and the Road to Immortality
Topping the rankings is no mean feat, but maintaining it will test Chakravarthy’s mettle. Upcoming tours to New Zealand and South Africa, with their bouncy pitches, will challenge his spin-friendly style. He must guard against complacency, especially with Bumrah lurking just behind, ready to reclaim the throne upon his return from a minor niggle.
Chakravarthy has expressed his desire to win an ICC tournament as the top-ranked bowler, emulating Bumrah’s 2024 World Cup heroics. With the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon in India and Sri Lanka, the stage is set for another chapter in this saga. If he continues to channel Bumrah’s intensity, Chakravarthy could well become the face of T20 spin.
, Varun Chakravarthy’s journey to the top of the ICC T20I bowling rankings is more than a personal triumph; it’s a celebration of mentorship and adaptation. By emulating Jasprit Bumrah’s essence, he has not only honored his idol but also carved his own legacy. As cricket evolves, stories like this remind us that the sport’s true magic lies in its human elements—ambition, inspiration, and unyielding pursuit of excellence.
