Cricket: India mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy moves up to number one spot in ICC T20I bowler ranking
Chakaravarthy becomes third Indian to top ICC T20I bowler rankings
India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy entered an illustrious group of players this week after the ICC announced that he has moved up to the number one spot in their T20 international bowler rankings. The ICC’s announcement read:
“India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been rewarded for his consistent form in 2025 by becoming the No.1 ranked bowler on the latest ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings.”
Unlike many who have come before him, Chakaravarthy only made his T20I debut for the Men in Blue at the age of 31 back in 2021 against Sri Lanka, but has become a mainstay of the team’s setup ever since then.
Now 34, Chakaravarthy follows in the footsteps of teammates Jasprit Bumrah and fellow spinner Ravi Bishnoi by becoming only the third Indian bowler to reach the summit of the ICC’s bowler rankings.
The Kolkata Knight Riders bowler had an incredible Indian Premier League campaign this year, and has carried his form into the Asia Cup, where he picked up an excellent 1/4 in his opening match against the UAE before following up with an economical 1/24 versus Pakistan a few days later.
Chakaravarthy leapfrogged New Zealand speedster Jacob Duffy in the ICC’s T20I bowler rankings, while all-rounder Kuldeep Yadav jumped a massive 16 places in the same list, now up to 16th across the globe.
India now have the number one-ranked bowler and batter in T20Is, with Abhishek Sharma solidifying his place atop the batter rankings with a rating of 884, ahead of England’s Phil Salt and teammate Tilak Varma in second and third, respectively.
India beat plucky Oman in final Asia Cup 2025 group stage match
India are on course to defend their Asia Cup title this year, having romped into the Super 4s of the competition with a perfect record of three wins from three after beating Oman by 21 runs in their final group stage match on Friday.
However, despite all the best betting sites in India installing the Men in Blue as favourites to pick up a big win, it was far from a comfortable victory for them, with Oman producing a spirited effort and one that will give them huge confidence in future tournaments.
Batting first, India posted a tournament-high 188/8 in their 20 overs, but their opponents were unfazed and came up just 21 runs short of the target, while only losing four wickets, with Jasprit Bumrah rested by the defending champions.
Aamir Kaleem played a masterful knock for his side, scoring a quickfire 64 off just 46 deliveries, while Hammad Mirza added 51 in 33 balls. Kaleem also bagged 2/31 in three overs with the ball and would likely have earned the Player of the Match award if they had won the match.
Unfortunately, Oman have now exited the competition, along with the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. India, on the other hand, will commence preparation for their blockbuster Super 4s showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday afternoon.
