Is Varun Chakravarthy ready for Test cricket? The spinner explains

Playing just three of the five matches India contested at the ICC Champions Trophy, Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the team's highest wicket-taker. While the England Tour of India paved the way for his return, the Champions Trophy served as the perfect stage to showcase his abilities. Four years after a disastrous 2021 T20 World Cup campaign, the mystery spinner redeemed himself in Dubai with an exceptional performance. A campaign as impressive as Chakravarthy's naturally raises the question of whether he could transition into an all-format player for India. However, the spinner himself has ruled out the possibility of playing Test cricket.

Varun Chakravarthy emerged as India's standout player in the ICC Champions Trophy, making a significant impact with his mystery spin. The 33-year-old picked up nine wickets across three matches, including a remarkable five-wicket haul against New Zealand in the group stage. Just days after lifting the trophy, Varun opened up about his aspiration to represent India in Test cricket. However, he also acknowledged a key limitation that could pose a challenge in adapting to the longest format.

"I do have an interest in Test cricket, but my bowling style doesn’t suit Test cricket,” said Varun. “Mine is almost like medium pace. In Test cricket, you’ve to continuously bowl 20-30 overs. I can’t do that in my bowling. Since I bowl quick, the maximum I can bowl is 10-15 overs which is not suited for red ball. I am focusing on 20 overs and 50 overs white ball cricket for now,” he added.

Varun made his tournament debut in India's group-stage clash against New Zealand, instantly making his presence felt with a match-winning fifer. He continued his impressive run, picking up two wickets each in the semi-final against Australia and the final against the Kiwis. Recently, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin weighed in on Varun’s performances, stating that he should have been named Player of the Tournament. According to Ashwin, Varun was the defining factor of the competition and provided Rohit Sharma’s side with the much-needed X-factor.

Interestingly, Varun's cricketing journey has been unconventional. Initially a pace bowler during his college years, he transitioned into spin bowling after sustaining an injury. Before that, he had even started out as a wicketkeeper. His international career has seen its fair share of ups and downs. His maiden outing for India in the 2021 T20 World Cup was far from ideal, as he went wicketless throughout the tournament. However, a stellar resurgence in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders reignited his career, paving the way for his redemption on the international stage.