Varun Chakravarthy, who recorded his career-best figures of 5 for 17 in the second T20I against South Africa, credited his coach Gautam Gambhir for his success. After a three-year gap from international cricket, Chakravarthy regained his form thanks to Gambhir's role clarity and guidance. Though India lost the match, Chakravarthy's spell of 5 wickets added to India's 11-match winning streak before the gritty partnership of Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee led South Africa to victory.
Varun Chakravarthy's Resurgence: Gautam Gambhir's Role and Career Highlights
Varun Chakravarthy, the enigmatic Indian mystery spinner, has recently made a remarkable comeback to international cricket, crediting his coach Gautam Gambhir for his success. After a three-year absence, Chakravarthy has rediscovered his form and emerged as a key player for India.
Gautam Gambhir's Impact
Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricket captain, has been instrumental in Chakravarthy's resurgence. As Chakravarthy's coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gambhir provided him with role clarity and guidance. He encouraged Chakravarthy to focus on his strengths and develop a consistent line and length.
Career Highlights
Varun Chakravarthy burst onto the international scene in 2019, making his T20I debut against Sri Lanka. He quickly established himself as a wicket-taker, using his variations and deceptive pace to outsmart batsmen. However, injuries and loss of form saw him dropped from the Indian team in 2020.
After a three-year hiatus, Chakravarthy made his comeback in the second T20I against South Africa in 2023. He recorded his career-best figures of 5 for 17, becoming the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul against South Africa in T20Is. His spell helped India extend their winning streak to 11 matches, despite their eventual loss in the game.
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Conclusion
Varun Chakravarthy's resurgence is a testament to the transformative impact of a supportive coach. Gautam Gambhir's guidance has helped Chakravarthy regain his form and become a valuable asset for the Indian cricket team. With his unique skills and newfound confidence, Chakravarthy is poised to make further contributions to Indian cricket in the years to come.
In a dramatic turn of events, young batsman Prashant Veer emerged as the most expensive uncapped player in the history of IPL after Chennai Super Kings secured his services for a whopping Rs 14.2 crore in the 2026 auction. However, it was not an easy journey for Veer as he faced financial struggles and even wanted to quit cricket in 2020. But with the support and guidance of his coach Rajiv Goel, he persevered and caught the attention of franchises with impressive performances in UP T20 League and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
England's hopes of staying alive in the Ashes series took a hit as they struggled against Australia on the opening day of the third Test in Adelaide. The visitors were dealt a blow when star batsman Steve Smith was ruled out due to illness, with Usman Khawaja stepping in to replace him. However, it was Australia's pace bowlers who stole the show, with Jofra Archer dismissing opener Jake Weatherald and taking a stunning catch to remove Travis Head. Despite England's struggles, they still have a chance to bounce back in the series and keep their Ashes hopes alive.
The mini auction for IPL 2026 saw franchises splurge on both Indian and overseas players in a bid to strengthen their squads. RCB secured Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7 crore, while RR added Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for ₹7.2 crore. The biggest surprise came in the form of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was bought for a whopping ₹18 crore by an undisclosed team, highlighting the value placed on death-over specialists in T20 cricket.
In a dramatic and chaotic Copa del Rey match, Barcelona narrowly defeated third division team Guadalajara with late goals from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford. The game was delayed for 30 minutes due to issues with a temporary stand at the Pedro Escartín Stadium in Guadalajara, near Madrid. After long queues and a police intervention, fans were finally allowed into the stadium, increasing its capacity from 6000 to 8000 with the new stand.
The Delhi Capitals have made some strategic moves at the IPL 2026 auction, focusing on strengthening their opening options and adding depth to their pace bowling department. With the inclusion of experienced players like David Miller and Kyle Jamieson, and talented young prospects like Pathum Nissanka and Prithvi Shaw, the Capitals have covered all bases and are ready to compete for the title in the upcoming season. They have also made a smart pick in the uncapped Auqib Nabi, adding more depth and variety to their pace attack.
In a thrilling bidding war between RCB and KKR, India's Venkatesh Iyer becomes the highest-selling player in the IPL 2026 Auction, fetching a whopping Rs. 7 crores. RCB emerged victorious in securing the talented all-rounder's signing, beating out his previous franchise KKR. The young cricketer's impressive performances in the 2025 season caught the attention of the franchise owners, making him a sought-after player in the auction.
In a tough Copa del Rey clash, Barcelona battled against third-tier Guadalajara and secured a 2-0 win in the last 16 thanks to a late goal from Marcus Rashford. Despite making eight changes to their starting lineup, the La Liga leaders persevered and defender Andreas Christensen put them ahead in the 76th minute. However, it was Rashford's 90th-minute strike that sealed the victory and ensured Barcelona's progress in the competition. Other teams, including Real Sociedad and Valencia, also advanced to the next round.
The IPL 2026 auction saw Australian cricketer Cameron Green fetching a whopping Rs 25.2 crore bid from Kolkata Knight Riders. However, due to the league's maximum fee rule, which limits overseas players from earning more than Rs 18 crore, Green will only receive the capped amount while the excess money will be used for player welfare. This rule does not apply to Indian players, who will receive their actual bid amount.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have finalized their lineup for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League, with Pat Cummins taking over as captain and leading a formidable roster. The team has brought in big names like Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards, and also boasts a strong Indian core with players like Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Exciting young talent like Smaran Ravichandran and Aniket Verma are also expected to make an impact. With a strong bowling attack and skilled overseas backups, the Orange Army is looking to make a strong showing in the upcoming season.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics has released their annual rankings for the best youth players in the world, and for the second year in a row, Barcelona players have claimed the top spots. Vicky López, a Spanish forward, has successfully defended her title as the best Under 20 female footballer while Lamine Yamal, a Swiss midfielder, has once again dominated the men's category. The dominance of Barcelona's academy in elite women's football is reinforced by the inclusion of another club player, Sydney Schertenleib, in the global Top 10 for women.