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IND vs NZ ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final: India's star mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has finally opened up and talked about the low phases of his life and reckoned that he got threats on his mobile phone after his forgetful outing with the ball during the 2021 T20 World Cup. He revealed that he was threatened not to return to the country and that the fans followed him to the residence in Chennai after the Men in Blue made a group stage exit from the mega-event.

He also admitted that he knew that he wouldn't play for the country again as he wasn't selected for the national side after the 2021 T20 World Cup. He first made his T20I debut during a bilateral series against Sri Lanka and was then included in India's squad for the T20 World Cup.

He did feature in three matches and went wicketless throughout the tournament. He was also part of the high-octane clash against arch-rivals Pakistan as it was the first time that the Men in Blue lost to them during a World Cup.

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"It was a dark time for me. I was depressed because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the World Cup with a lot of hype. I regretted not taking even one wicket. After that, for three years, I was not selected. So, I think the comeback to the team was tougher than the path to my debut," Varun was quoted as saying on Gobinath's YouTube show.

"I had to change a lot about myself (after 2021). I had to change my daily routine, and practice. Earlier, I used to practice 50 balls in a session, I doubled it. Without even knowing whether the selectors would recall me, it was difficult. After the third year, I thought it was all gone. We won the IPL and then I got the call I was very happy after that. I am not able to believe that all good things are happening in one go. I want to take it to the next level. I have faced setbacks, and I know how bad the criticism can be. After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. "Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to." People came up to my house, tracked me down had to hide at times. When I was returning from the airport, a couple of people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional. But when I look back at those things and the praise I am receiving now, I am happy," he said.

Varun on Champions Trophy heroics

He then made a brilliant comeback to international cricket in October last year, after almost three years, and also had a successful campaign in the IPL, where his team Kolkata Knight Riders became the champions.

Ever since he made his comeback, he has been in sublime form, as he performed brilliantly in the T20I series against England and was thus selected in India's Champions Trophy squad because of that. He had a dream debut in Dubai, where he took nine wickets after playing in three matches, which also includes a five-for against the Mitchell Santner-led side during the group stages.

During the semifinal against Australia, he dismissed India's tormentor-in-chief Travis Head, and in the summit clash, he took two wickets against the Kiwis and helped the Rohit Sharma-led side win the title last week.

After overcoming his weaknesses at the same venue in the mega-event, he admitted that their successful campaign was an unbelievable experience for him. He made his debut in the 50-over format earlier this year in the three-match series against England and was then selected for the Champions Trophy squad. Initially, he didn't feature in the group stage matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh, but later sealed his spot in India's playing XI.

"I think the Champions Trophy was a huge confidence booster because I played only four matches. And when I performed well in those matches, I felt I belonged and that there was a place for me. But I didn't expect this success. After playing the T20I series finale in Mumbai, I was preparing to return to Chennai. I even got the tickets for Chennai. But the next morning, I was told that I was in the one-day team too and was asked to come to Nagpur. I didn't expect it. I didn't take any clothes or anything for that. I asked my family to send me stuff to Nagpur. And then I made my debut in the second ODI. Even after the third ODI in Ahmedabad, I got tickets for Chennai. But then they told me, "You're coming to Dubai for the Champions Trophy." I was not able to believe it. Then in Dubai, I didn't play the first two matches. I thought I wouldn't get a chance and was prepared to carry drinks. But in the third match, I played. It changed after that. Even when I was benched for the first two games, I was practicing. I wanted to get some opportunity, even if it was as a substitute fielder. I was in that mindset. After the second match, Gautam Gambhir came and spoke to me. He told me to prepare with the intensity of a pre-match day but said that he was not sure if I would play the game (against New Zealand). I prepared, and then on match day, I got to know I was going to play," he concluded.

Varun will aim to repeat his heroics as he gears up to help the defending champions KKR retain the title in the upcoming season, which is all set to begin on March 22.