Varun Chakravarthy Opens Up on Depression After 2021 T20 World Cup Failure
Indian cricketer Varun Chakravarthy has made startling revelations about the aftermath of India's disappointing performance in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. The mystery spinner, who recently played a crucial role in India's Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, disclosed that he received threatening phone calls warning him not to return to India following his poor performance in the global tournament.
In a recent interview, Varun Chakravarthy stated, "I was threatened not to return to India. Even after I arrived in Chennai, someone followed me on a bike from the airport to my home. It was a very difficult phase for me. I felt guilty that I couldn't live up to the expectations after being selected for the team. I went into depression and was deeply saddened. I realized how emotionally invested fans are in the game."
Varun Chakravarthy, who was selected for the 2021 T20 World Cup after an impressive Indian Premier League (IPL) season, failed to make an impact in the ICC tournament. India was eliminated in the Super 12 stage, and Chakravarthy finished the campaign without taking a single wicket. Following this, he faced severe criticism, and his career took a downturn as he was not considered for selection for nearly three years.
Speaking on a YouTube podcast, he described that period as the lowest point in his career. "The 2021 World Cup was a dark time for me. I entered the squad with a lot of hype, but I couldn’t take even a single wicket. After that, I was not considered for selection for three years," he said.
Despite the setbacks, Chakravarthy made a strong comeback and played a pivotal role in India's success in the 2025 Champions Trophy, taking nine wickets in three matches, including crucial breakthroughs in knockout games. His performances were instrumental in India's title victory, marking a significant turnaround in his career.
