Feels like rebirth: Varun Chakravarthy after dream India comeback vs Bangladesh

Varun Chakravarthy termed his sensational comeback to the India squad as a rebirth after finishing with a match-winning haul of 3 for 31 in the first T20I vs Bangladesh in Gwalior, on Sunday.

In Short

• Coming back to the Indian side feels like rebirth: Varun Chakravarthy
• Chakravarthy returned with a match-winning haul of 3 for 31 in the 1st T20I
• India defeated Bangladesh to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy described his return to India's national cricket team after three long years as an emotional "rebirth," following a match-winning performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh. Chakravarthy's impressive spell of 3/31 helped India restrict Bangladesh to a meager total of 127, which the Indian team chased down comfortably, winning with 49 balls to spare and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The 33-year-old spinner, who last donned the Indian jersey in 2021, expressed his joy after the game, stating that the opportunity to represent India once again was a deeply emotional experience. "After three long years, it was definitely emotional for me. Feels nice to be back in the Blues. It feels like a rebirth," Chakravarthy told Jio Cinema in a post-match interview. "I just want to stick to the process, that's what I have been following in the IPL as well."

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Chakravarthy's unique ability to deceive batters with his unpredictable variations came to the fore once again, as he left the Bangladeshi batting lineup in disarray. Notably, he bowled Jaker Ali with a delivery that sharply turned back in, knocking over the stumps and showcasing his skill as a lethal T20 weapon.

In his seventh T20I appearance for India, Chakravarthy made it clear that his focus was on staying grounded and enjoying the moment rather than setting lofty expectations for the future. "I don't want to go beyond what's there. I just want to stay in the present," he added. "After the IPL, I played a few tournaments, and one of those was the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). It's a very good tournament with a high standard."

Chakravarthy also credited Indian off-spinner R Ashwin for his resurgence, highlighting their work together during the TNPL as a significant confidence boost. "Working with Ashwin bhai during TNPL really worked well for me. We won the championship as well, and that gave me the confidence here. It was good preparation for this series."

The match wasn't without its challenges for Chakravarthy, as a dropped catch off his bowling in his first over could have dampened his spirits. However, he remained philosophical about the incident, saying, "It could have gone my way, but that's how cricket is. I can't complain, thankful to God."

Reflecting on the struggles he faced during his time away from the Indian team, Chakravarthy acknowledged the difficulties of being written off but emphasized the importance of perseverance. "Once you're not in the Indian side, people tend to write you off very easily. You need to stay at the highest level and keep knocking on the door. Thankfully, this time it happened. Hopefully, I can continue my good work."

With India now leading the series, Chakravarthy's comeback performance has breathed new life into his international career, and fans will be eager to see how he builds on this momentum in the upcoming matches. For Chakravarthy, though, it is a moment of rebirth-one he hopes will lead to sustained success.