By Parth Dhall | Oct 07, 2025 | 09:31 PM
**Varun Chakravarthy Praises Gautam Gambhir for Instilling ‘Spartan Mentality’ in Team India**
India’s top-ranked T20I bowler, Varun Chakravarthy, has lauded head coach Gautam Gambhir for fostering a “Spartan mentality” within the team. Chakravarthy emphasized that under Gambhir’s guidance, losing is not an option and players are expected to give their best whenever they take the field.
The mystery spinner, who has been in sublime form recently, credited both Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) for his remarkable international comeback after nearly a three-year hiatus from the national side.
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### Support System: Gambhir and SKY Backed Me During My Absence
Reflecting on his return to the Indian squad, Chakravarthy revealed that both Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav stood firmly behind him as a key wicket-taker.
Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Tuesday, Chakravarthy acknowledged their support during his time away from the team, which lasted over three years.
“I was out of the team for more than three years, but I did have a consecutive good IPL. For them to recognize that and bring me into the team was great for me,” he said.
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### Career Trajectory: From Being Dropped to Making a Strong Comeback
Chakravarthy made his international debut for India in July 2021. However, after a disappointing campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup later that year, he was dropped from the T20I side.
After a hiatus of nearly three years, Chakravarthy was recalled to the squad in October 2025. Since then, the mystery spinner has been a regular member of India’s T20I setup and even made his ODI debut.
Earlier this year, he played a pivotal role in helping India clinch the Champions Trophy.
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### Areas for Improvement: Gambhir Wants Me to Enhance ODI Prospects
Although Chakravarthy missed out on India’s ODI squad for the Australia tour this month, he discussed how Gambhir has advised him to improve his chances in the 50-over format.
“Basically, the conversations were around bowling longer spells,” Chakravarthy explained.
He also revealed that Gambhir encourages him to bat higher up the order in domestic cricket to sharpen his batting skills.
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### Career Highlights: Stunning Numbers Since T20I Comeback
Since making his T20I comeback, Chakravarthy has taken 38 wickets in 18 matches at an impressive average of 12.94, maintaining an economy rate of 7.23.
Notably, he has claimed two five-wicket hauls in T20Is after his return – against England and South Africa – becoming only the third Indian to achieve multiple five-wicket hauls in T20I cricket, joining Kuldeep Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Overall, Chakravarthy boasts 40 wickets from 24 T20Is at an average of 15.60.
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### Team Chemistry: On Kuldeep Yadav’s Impressive Form
Chakravarthy also praised fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was the highest wicket-taker in the 2025 T20 Asia Cup.
“Kuldeep is definitely one of the most experienced bowlers right now in the pool of players that we have, and he has done amazingly well,” he said.
The two spinners complement each other well with their distinct bowling styles and variations in pace, forming a formidable spin duo for India.
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Varun Chakravarthy’s resurgence and the positive influence of Gautam Gambhir and the leadership group underscore a promising future for India’s limited-overs cricket.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/varun-chakravarthy-heaps-praise-on-gautam-gambhir/story