By Parth Dhall | Oct 07, 2025 | 09:31 PM
**Varun Chakravarthy Praises Coach Gambhir for Instilling ‘Spartan Mentality’ in Team**
India’s top-ranked T20I bowler, Varun Chakravarthy, has lauded head coach Gautam Gambhir for fostering a “Spartan mentality” within the team. Under Gambhir’s guidance, Chakravarthy says there is “no option of losing,” and players are expected to give their absolute best on the field.
Chakravarthy, who has been in sublime form recently, credited both Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) for his international comeback after nearly a three-year hiatus from the Indian team.
### Support System: Gambhir and SKY Backed Me During My Absence
Reflecting on his return to the national side, Chakravarthy acknowledged the backing he received from Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav as a key wicket-taker. Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Tuesday, he shared how their support was instrumental during his absence from international cricket.
“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,” Chakravarthy said.
### Career Trajectory: From Debut to Comeback
Varun Chakravarthy first represented India in July 2021. However, following a subpar performance at the ICC T20 World Cup that year, he was dropped from the T20I side. After nearly three years away from international cricket, Chakravarthy was recalled in October 2025.
Since his return, the mystery spinner has become a regular member of India’s T20I squad and has also made his One Day International (ODI) debut. Earlier this year, he played a key role in helping India win the Champions Trophy.
### Areas for Improvement: Gambhir Wants Me to Boost ODI Chances
Despite missing out on India’s ODI squad for the recent Australia tour, Chakravarthy revealed that Gambhir has advised him to work on certain aspects to improve his chances in ODI cricket.
“Basically, the conversations were around bowling longer spells,” Chakravarthy explained. He also mentioned that Gambhir encouraged him to bat higher up the order in domestic cricket and to develop his batting skills further.
### Career Highlights: Stunning Numbers Since 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. He has claimed two five-wicket hauls in T20Is after returning to the team against England and South Africa.
By achieving these feats, Chakravarthy became just the third Indian bowler to record multiple five-wicket hauls in T20I cricket, joining the ranks of Kuldeep Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Overall, he boasts 40 wickets from 24 T20Is at an average of 15.60.
### Team Chemistry: Praising Kuldeep Yadav’s Impressive Run
Chakravarthy also praised fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who emerged as 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 effectively with their different bowling styles and varying speeds, adding depth and variety to India’s bowling attack.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/varun-chakravarthy-heaps-praise-on-gautam-gambhir/story
