Varun Chakravarthy Profile — Mystery Spinner of KKR in 2026

Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner, has been a key performer for Kolkata Knight Riders and recently reclaimed his spot in the Indian T20I squad.

Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as a widely discussed name among cricket fans in recent periods. He has been delivering standout performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) over the last few years. However, despite his international debut in 2021, his form dipped, leading to his exclusion from the Indian team. After a three-year absence from national duty, he was recalled to the T20I side and delivered match-winning bowling performances with his exceptional skills. Batters struggle to read his deliveries due to the deceptive nature of his spin, and he maintains a consistent wicket-taking ability. Since joining KKR in 2020, he has established himself as one of their top bowlers, claiming the highest wicket-taker title for the side in four of the last five seasons. His talent was evident when he achieved a five-wicket haul on debut in a major ODI tournament during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group match against New Zealand. Varun Chakravarthy was born on August 29, 1991, in Bidar, Karnataka. The cricketer, originally from Tamil and Kannada heritage, was raised in Adyar, Chennai, which explains his participation in domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu. During his schooling at St. Patrick’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, he initially played as a wicket-keeper but later shifted focus to academics. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from SRM University. At the age of 25, he left his job as an architect to pursue professional cricket full-time. Varun Chakravarthy, an Indian spinner, follows Hinduism, a faith he has practiced since childhood due to his Tamil and Kannada parentage. Details about his caste remain undisclosed. His family has no strong background in sports. He engaged in cricket initially but prioritized academics until turning 25, when he decided to pursue cricket professionally. His relatives were primarily employed in non-sporting professions, making him the first athlete in his family. Varun Chakravarthy’s father is C.V. Vinod Chakravarthy, of mixed Tamil and Malayali descent, who serves as an ITS officer at BSNL. Apart from his name and profession, no additional information about his father is available. His mother, Malini Chakravarthy, a Kannadiga homemaker, has no further publicly known details about her background or personal life. Varun Chakravarthy is an only child, with a sister named Vanditha Chakravarthy; no additional information about her is accessible online. There is no official Facebook profile for Varun Chakravarthy. While multiple accounts bearing his name exist, none are verified or officially linked to him. Varun Chakravarthy is married to Neha Khedekar, his long-term partner, in an intimate ceremony held in Chennai. The couple had dated for several years before marrying in 2020, though their plans were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have a son named Aathman. Varun Chakravarthy’s estimated net worth is around ₹40 crore, which includes earnings from the BCCI central contract under the Grade C category (₹1 crore annually), IPL contracts, match fees for international and domestic games, and income from brand endorsements and sponsorships. His cricketing journey began when most players are considered past their prime, as he started playing professionally at 25. Initially a pace bowler, a knee injury in early 2017 sidelined him for six months, prompting a shift to spin bowling. His mystery spin technique proved difficult for batters to decipher. Strong domestic performances paved his way into the IPL and later the Indian team. He played a crucial role in the Indian bowling attack during the Asia Cup 2025, helping him rise to the top rank in ICC T20I bowler standings. Across his IPL career, Varun Chakravarthy has featured in 84 matches, securing 100 wickets at an economy rate of 7.57 and an average of 23.85. He has recorded one four-wicket and one five-wicket haul, with his best figures being 5/20. He serves as the primary pace bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Varun Chakravarthy’s career has experienced fluctuations, with a strong start that drew attention for his mystery spin. He topped the wicket-taker list in the TNPL in 2018, earning an IPL contract with KXIP for ₹8.4 crore at the 2019 auction. He received his first India T20I call-up during the 2020 Australia tour and made his debut against Sri Lanka in 2021. He also featured in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, delivering the second-best T20I bowling figures in a losing effort and becoming the second-oldest Indian ODI debutant after Farookh Engineer. Varun Chakravarthy is an Indian cricketer recognized for his enigmatic bowling action, primarily delivering leg-spin, and has been a game-changer both for India and KKR. What is Varun Chakravarthy’s age and date of birth? Varun Chakravarthy was born on August 29, 1991, making him 34 years old as of 2025. When did Varun Chakravarthy get married? Varun Chakravarthy has been married to Neha Khedekar since 2020 after dating for a few years. What was Varun Chakravarthy’s IPL salary in 2025? In IPL 2025, Varun Chakravarthy earned ₹12 crore as his salary. All images used are for editorial purposes only and are licensed solely through Getty/Source.