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Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has made a bold claim regarding spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, stating that he is a more valuable bowler for India than Jasprit Bumrah in T20Is at present. Badrinath's comments come after Chakaravarthy's brilliant show with the ball for India in the recently concluded T20I series against Australia.
Chakaravarthy finished as the highest wicket-taker for India in the five-match series with five wickets. India clinched the series 2-1 on Saturday after the final fifth T20I at The Gabba in Brisbane was washed out due to rain. In the three matches that were possible, pacers ruled the roost, however, Chakaravarthy was the most impactful bowler for India.
Bumrah, on the other hand, looked off colour in the series after his disappointing show in the Asia Cup 2025. The experienced Indian pacer managed only three wickets in five matches at an average of 26.33. Praising Chakaravarthy for his ability to take wickets and stop runs in the middle overs, Badrinath called him a more valuable bowler than Bumrah for India in T20Is.
"Numbers tell us that Varun Chakaravarthy is the No. 1 T20 bowler in the world. He is more valuable than even Bumrah. Whenever the runs are flowing in the powerplay or the middle overs or even in the 18th over, Varun is the go-to bowler. He has gone to a different level with his game. A superb comeback after being given a chance initially and getting dropped because of fitness. But in this second phase after his comeback, he has taken his game to the next level," said Badrinath on Star Sports.
Ever since making his comeback last year, Chakaravarthy has been among India's best performers with the ball in white-ball cricket. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 and played a key role in the team's memorable triumph. Chakaravarthy finished the tournament with 9 wickets in just three games and has been unstoppable ever since.
He was also among the wickets for India in the Asia Cup 2025, where he picked up 7 wickets in six matches to brilliantly support Kuldeep Yadav, who finished as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 wickets. Chakaravarthy is currently the no.1 T20 bowler in the world, and Badrinath believes he will play an important role in India's title defence in the T20 World Cup next year.
"He's a huge asset for India, in fact, even a weapon. Going forward, with the T20 World Cup in India, he will be the most crucial factor. If Varun has a good day, there is a great chance the Indian team will have a good day," said Badrinath.
Chakaravarthy has played 23 matches for India across formats since his comeback last year and has managed an impressive 43 wickets. The spinner has 45 wickets to his name in 29 matches in his T20I career at an average of 15.68 and an economy rate of 6.88, including two five-wicket hauls.
