NEW DELHI: Team India have continued their T20 sublime form, defeating Australia 2-1 on their home soil. The victory was built on several standout performances, with a crucial contribution from India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who once again showed why he has become such an important figure in the T20 setup.

Former India cricketer S Badrinath, speaking on Star Sports, heaped praise on the 34-year-old spinner, calling him the best T20 bowler in the world at present.

“Numbers tell us that Varun Chakaravarthy is the No. 1 T20 bowler in the world. He’s even more valuable than Bumrah. Whenever the runs are flowing, whether it’s in the powerplay, middle overs or even the 18th over, Varun is the go-to bowler,” Badrinath said.

A comeback built on fitness and focus

Badrinath alsp lauded the spinner’s impressive return to international cricket, highlighting the way he has worked on his fitness and refined his craft.

“He’s taken his game to another level. It’s been a superb comeback after being given a chance initially and then dropped because of fitness. In this second phase, he has raised his game significantly,” he said.

Chakaravarthy's quiet efficiency was key to India's 2-1 series victory in Australia. Across the five matches (which includes two washouts), the spinner claimed five wickets but, crucially, suffocated the opposition's run flow. His economy rate of just 6.83 in a high-scoring T20 series underscores his ability to deliver pressure and control.