Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy disclosed the key to his recent success, which resulted in his getting called up to the national team once again after a stunning comeback and match-winning performance on his third return to international cricket in three years.

In the first Twenty20 International encounter at Gwalior on Sunday, Chakravarthy, making his debut for his country since the ICC T20 World Cup in 2021, claimed three wickets to take the match and help the youthful Indian squad cruise to an easy eight-wicket victory against Bangladesh.

Regarding his achievements in the last few years, the 33-year-old said that switching from sidespin to overspin bowling was a key factor in his success.

Varun said at the press conference after the game, “I used to be a side-spin bowler, but right now, I have completely shifted to being an over-spin bowler.”

The spinner claimed to have spent more than two years honing this style of bowling, beginning with some experimentation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

“Spin bowling is a really complex sport, yet it took me more than two years to master it. I tried it out progressively in both TNPL and IPL. I had to focus on my mental side as well, but my technical side took up the most of my effort,” he said.

While he was not playing for the Indian side, he joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a bowler in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and worked closely with West Indies T20 player and spin icon Sunil Narine. Following a dismal 2022 campaign in which he claimed only six wickets in 11 games, he bounced back with incredible seasons in 2023 and 2024, claiming 20 and 21 wickets, respectively. His spin bowling combination with Narine in the 2024 IPL, which produced an average of 19.14, was important in the franchise’s third overall triumph and its first IPL victory in ten years.

Prior to the game, India chose to bowl first after winning the toss. The visitors’ biggest scorers were Mehidy Hasan Miraz (35* runs from 32 balls, 3 fours) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (27 runs from 25 balls, 1 four, and 1 six), who brought a glimmer of hope to an otherwise dismal performance. In 19.5 overs, Bangladesh was bowled out for 127 runs.

Arshdeep (3/14) was India’s preferred bowler. When Varun Chakravarthy rejoined the team after 2021, he took three wickets for 31 runs. Washington Sundar, Hardik, and pace prodigy Mayank Yadav each took home a scalp.

A misunderstanding led to Abhishek Sharma (16 in seven balls) being run out during the 128-run chase. But captain Suryakumar Yadav (29 in 14 balls, two fours, three sixes) and batsman Sanju Samson (29 in 19 balls, six fours) cobbled together a 40-wicket partnership for the second wicket. Subsequently, Hardik secured the victory for India by establishing a 52-run partnership with rookie Nitish Kumar Reddy (16* in 15 balls, including a six).

Bangladesh could only take two wickets in the second inning after failing to rise with the ball. Mehidy and Mustafizur Rahman were the only visitors who claimed wickets.

After taking a crucial wicket of Litton Das during his impressive session, Arshdeep was declared the “Player of the Match.” India leads the three-match series 1-0.