#2019IPLAuction: Who is architect Varun Chakravarthy, bought for Rs. 8.4cr?
Uncapped mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy became the joint-most costliest player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 auction, being held in Jaipur. The youngster was bought by Kings XI Punjab for a sum of Rs. 8.40 crore. He is also the costliest uncapped Indian player. This was massive for Varun, whose base price was just Rs. 20 lakh. Here's more about this mystery spinner.
Varun took TNPL by storm
The mystery spinner had an excellent campaign in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, earlier in 2018. He created a storm after a superb show for Madurai Panthers as several batsmen failed to read the young spinner. Varun has several variations up his sleeves to create problems in the shortest format. His heroics were noticed by KXIP as they broke the bank to buy him.
How Varun ended up with Kings XI?
Varun was bought 42 times of his base price. This shows that teams had a strategy for the player. Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders also went for the player, but KXIP had the last laugh. The side had the most salary cap available, which helped them to go the extra mile. Varun will add depth to the KXIP spin department.
A keeper, pacer and then a spinner!
As per reports, Varun started his career as a wicket-keeper batsman, when he was 13. He then shifted his focus and became a pace bowler. Eventually, he became a spinner and is believed to have around seven variations in his kitty. Interestingly, Varun had stopped playing cricket in college. He did an architecture course and worked for a private firm in his previous avatar.
More key info about Varun
Notably, the player was seen bowling in the nets for Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2018. He was the second highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (22). He made his Ranji Trophy debut this year for Tamil Nadu.