Varun has emerged as a formidable candidate for selection, and he has publicly acknowledged that head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav have supported his return to the Indian team. All eyes are on spinner Varun Chakravarthy as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares to reveal the Asia Cup 2025 squad on August 19. The event is set to start in the United Arab Emirates on September 9.
On September 10, India, which is in Group A with Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, will start their campaign. Chakravarthy’s name has been at the top of the list since spinners are likely to be very important in UAE conditions, especially following his stellar performances in white-ball cricket.
Varun has demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure by taking 33 wickets in just 18 T20Is, including two five-wicket hauls in recent months. Additionally, he picked significant wickets in Dubai earlier this year, helping India win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Varun talked candidly about how he prepared for the challenges ahead during the month-long vacation following the IPL.
“With the Asia Cup approaching, white-ball players will enjoy a nice respite following the IPL. I played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), but I’m currently on a one-month sabbatical. Working on my strength and conditioning, fitness, bowling, batting, and other skills has been beneficial. I had time to holistically restore my complete self. I’m feeling better because I spent a lot of time with my parents, wife, and child. Yes, I believe that I have worked hard. “Now, the larger force will handle the rest,” he stated.
Varun discussed how Gambhir and Suryakumar helped shape his return. He disclosed that Surya had guaranteed his spot in the squad prior to the Bangladesh tour and commended Gautam Gambhir coaching approach.
“I am interested in having you in the team setup, but let’s see how the other things work out first. In a similar vein, Gauti Bhai’s motivation has greatly aided my comeback. He has always given me confidence and assured me that “no matter who’s going to ignore you, I will keep you in my plans for now,” even if we don’t communicate much. That gave me a sense of confidence. According to Revsportz, he stated, “If you ask me about Gauti Bhai as a mentor, I would say that he brings a warrior mindset in the dressing room, which is very important and has worked for us at KKR and in the Champions Trophy.”