When Indian cricketer Varun Chakravarthy received death threats

In an open conversation, Indian cricketer Varun Chakravarthy recounted the distressing period following the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. The spinner, hailed for his promising performances, received threatening calls after India's premature exit from the tournament held in the UAE.

Chakravarthy shared that he felt his international career was over after being unable to take a single wicket during India's unsuccessful campaign, which included a notable 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan — a first in World Cup history against their traditional opponents. The backlash was intense, with calls urging him not to return home, and he was notably followed to his residence in Chennai.

Period of Reflection:

Following his omission from the national team, Chakravarthy described this chapter as a 'dark time', grappling with depression. "It was disheartening not taking even one wicket after all the expectations surrounding my selection," he expressed. Chakravarthy, who debuted in a T20 International against Sri Lanka in July 2021, found the road to recovery daunting.

Resilience and Revival:

Undeterred, Chakravarthy re-evaluated his training approach and doubled his efforts, uncertain of future recalls. "Even after waiting for three years, I thought it was the end. But winning the IPL and subsequently being called back felt incredible," he noted.

Appreciation Over Criticism:

Reflecting on his comeback, Chakravarthy expressed relief at receiving accolades rather than condemnation. "In 2021, there were threats telling me to avoid coming back to India. I had to be cautious at home, but I empathise with the fans' emotional responses," he explained. "Now, I'm grateful for the positive recognition and look back at those days with a sense of relief."