Exclusive: Varun Chakravarthy's Evolution from Architect to India's Spin Wizard

Before playing cricket, Varun Chakravarthy worked as an architect at a Chennai-based firm—the concept of lines and angles translated into the cricket field soon with a ball in hand. 

The spin bowler, known for bringing an element of mystery as the batters have often struggled to read his variations, has been India's trump card in the ICC Champions Trophy triumph in Dubai.

The 33-year-old Chakravarthy played three matches, taking nine wickets at an economy of 4.53. He achieved a five-for against New Zealand in the Group A stage and took 2/45 in the final. Additionally, he kept the Aussies at bay with 2/49 in the semi-final.

He has 33 wickets in 18T20Is and 10 in only four ODIs for India, but in the Indian Premier League, the spinner has 83 wickets in 71 matches; good enough time for a batter to find ways against a mystery spinner. However, they have still struggled to read his wrong 'uns. One might ponder the secret to his consistency.

The secret to mystery: Always a ball in hand

Vijay Shankar, the India all-rounder and Chakravarthy's teammate in their state team Tamil Nadu mentioned that the spinner has matured with each passing season. 

"He has evolved into a proper bowler. I think he is a little obsessed with his bowling. You will always find a ball in his hand even when he is not on the ground. He keeps spinning the ball in the dressing room or the room. He is that obsessed. He can keep doing that the whole day. He bowls a lot at nets, he completely loves it as he doesn't take breaks in between. He wants to keep bowling and play a lot of matches and that has been his biggest advantage."

"Since he has been bowling so much, he has been able to find new things now and then. He can always challenge a batter every time he bowls," Shankar, who has played 12 ODIs and nine T20Is for India, told Sportsboom.com. 

Domestic cricket, more matches more variations

Chakravarthy was the second-highest wicket-taker—18 wickets in six matches with two fifers— in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's domestic 50-over competition. 

"It is nice of him to come and play domestic cricket, and always good to bat against someone like him at the nets. When you practice against the top bowlers, it becomes a lot easier in the matches," said the all-rounder, who will face the mystery spinner again in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League starting March 22.

Shankar praised Chakravarthy for his ticking brain. 

"He can keep trying things when he plays more matches. He loves to try out new things, and that's why he has been delivering after working hard. He is consistent, economical and among wickets."

Chakravarthy will team up with Sunil Narine, a veteran mystery spinner from West Indies, in the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders. Shankar, who will represent Chennai Super Kings after a decade, is excited to face him. 

"The best part about the IPL is that you get to face the best bowlers every now and then. You need to keep upgrading yourself, and that's the challenge," said Shankar.

"I am looking forward to win matches for CSK. There will be no better feeling, and I will get to learn from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. You have legends in every department of the game."