Varun Chakaravarthy’s story is right out of a movie. Quitting his job at the age of 25, Chakaravarthy decided to try his luck in cricket. Following his 2018-2019 Ranji Trophy debut, the mystery bowler caught the attention of Kings XI Punjab. The team tagged the right-arm leg-break bowler for a season in 2019, acquiring him at a price of 8.4 Cr. 

However, fate took a sharp turn, and his debut turned out to be a total disaster. He conceded 25 runs, the highest by a debut bowler in the promotion. Consequently, he was released the next year. But KKR’s crew found something in him and took him over the next season. 

He got his first five-wicket haul his season against Delhi Capitals. Furthermore, he went to top this with a spectacular performance the very next year – picking off 18 wickets. From there on, his graph steadily climbed with a 20, and 21 wicket haul in 2023 & 2024 despite a low in 2022. He also made his international debut meanwhile in 2020 against the mighty Aussies.