Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has named Varun Chakravarthy as India’s bowler of the year, hailing the mystery spinner as a massive match-winner whose impact has been evident whenever the team has relied on him.
“I will pick Varun Chakravarthy as India’s bowler of the year. He was a huge MVP. Whenever the team used him, he showed that X-factor. People have found it hard to pick him,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat. He added that Chakravarthy’s role will be crucial to India’s chances at the 2026 T20 World Cup. “His fortunes will be very key, and he is a proper T20 bowler.”
Ashwin also reflected on Chakravarthy’s remarkable comeback after being sidelined earlier in his career, calling it one of the most inspiring journeys in Indian cricket.
“He was out of the side, then reinvented himself and came back, and now he is at the top of the T20I rankings,” Ashwin said. “Cricket wasn’t even his first profession—he was an architect. He bowled in the fifth division in Chennai, asked for a chance in net bowling, performed well, and then showcased his skills in the TNPL. It has been a journey to remember.”
Ashwin reiterated his stance, adding, “From an Indian perspective, Varun Chakravarthy is the bowler of the year for me.”
Chakravarthy has enjoyed a prolific white-ball season, picking up 10 wickets in four ODIs and 36 wickets in 20 T20Is, emerging as one of India’s most reliable wicket-takers across formats.
Ashwin also showered praise on Abhishek Sharma, tipping the left-handed opener as India’s next-generation X-factor player.
“It’s not just the arrival of Abhishek Sharma; it’s probably the arrival of India’s next-generation X-factor,” Ashwin said. “If I have to name one player who had the best year for India in 2025, it has to be him.”
Abhishek has had an outstanding 2025 in T20Is, scoring 859 runs in 21 matches at an average of 42.95 and a staggering strike rate of 193.46, including one century and five half-centuries.
“He has reimagined India’s powerplay batting and has been exceptional. I would love to see him in ODIs as well. His red-ball credentials will be worked on, and I believe he could be the men’s team player of the year,” Ashwin added.
Reflecting on senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Ashwin said the hunger to win a 50-over World Cup continues to drive both players.
“For both Rohit and Virat, the fire to win that World Cup is still burning. It’s important that we enjoy every match they give us,” he said.
Ashwin noted that despite retiring from Test cricket, both batters have returned strongly in ODIs. “They have redefined the year. It hasn’t been easy, but they’ve come back and played really well,” he said, adding that Kohli’s current form is a major positive for Indian cricket.
“Virat is looking in exceptional touch, and that is great for Indian cricket,” Ashwin concluded.
Both Rohit and Kohli have also impressed in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Rohit smashing a commanding 155 for Mumbai, while Kohli has struck scores of 131 and 77 in the competition.
