Dharamshala, Dec 14: India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy continued his impressive rise in international cricket by becoming the second-fastest Indian to claim 50 wickets in T20 Internationals, reaching the landmark during the third T20I against South Africa here on Sunday.
Chakravarthy achieved the feat with a tidy spell of 2 for 34 from his four overs, removing Donovan Ferreira and Marco Jansen to put his name alongside some elite company. The milestone came in his 32nd T20I appearance, making him the second quickest Indian to reach 50 wickets in the format in terms of matches played, behind only Kuldeep Yadav, who achieved the mark in 30 games.
The figures further underline Chakravarthy’s growing influence in India’s T20 set-up. In 32 matches so far, the right-arm spinner has picked up 51 wickets at an outstanding average of 15.00, highlighting his ability to strike regularly while keeping runs in check. His record also includes two five-wicket hauls, with his best performance being a remarkable 5 for 17.
Chakravarthy’s efficiency is reflected not just in matches but also in the number of deliveries taken to reach the milestone. He became the fourth-fastest spinner from Test-playing nations to complete 50 T20I wickets in terms of balls bowled, achieving the feat in 672 deliveries. Only Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis, who did it in 600 balls, and India’s Kuldeep Yadav, who took 638 balls, have reached the mark quicker among spinners.
With his deceptive variations and growing consistency, Chakravarthy’s milestone adds another layer of depth to India’s spin arsenal as the team continues to build towards major white-ball tournaments. (Agencies)
