'Told not to return to India' - Varun Chakravarthy breaks silence on 2021 threats

Varun Chakravarthy is in the form of his life, taking wickets for fun for India in international cricket. He recently played a pivotal role in India's triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. However, Chakravarthy's career has not been rosy all along.

He made his debut for India against Sri Lanka in the T20I format in July 2021. He went on to play the T20 World Cup in 2021 in the UAE. However, he failed to pick up a single wicket in the three games as India could not progress beyond the first round.

Chakravarthy recalled the tough times following the dismal performance. He revealed that he received threats and people told him not to come back to India after the World Cup. The mystery spinner also said that he was followed by people on bikes as he made his way back home from the airport.

"It was a dark time for me. I was in depression because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the World Cup with a lot of hype. I regretted not taking even one wicket. After that, for three years, I was not selected. So, I think the comeback to the team was tougher than the path to my debut. I had to change a lot about myself (after 2021). I had to change my daily routine, practice," Chakravarthy told popular anchor Gobinath in a YouTube show.

Earlier, I used to practise 50 balls in a session, I doubled it. Without even knowing whether the selectors would recall me, it was difficult. After the third year, I thought it was all gone. We won the IPL and then I got the call- I was very happy after that," he further continued.

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'I understand fans are emotional' - Chakravarthy on his poor performances in 2021

Furthermore, Varun Chakravarthy came up with a shocking revelation. He said that not only had he received some threatening calls, but some people also tried following him to his house. However, he added that poor performances can make fans angry and emotional. But after starring with the ball in the Champions Trophy and being praised by the fans, the wily spinner was seemingly ecstatic about it.

"I am not able to believe that all good things are happening in one go. I want to take it to the next level. I have faced setbacks, and I know how bad the criticism can be. After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to. People came up to my house, tracked me down- I had to hide at times. When I was returning from the airport, a couple of people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional. But when I look back at those things and the praise I am receiving now, I am happy," Chakravarthy concluded.