India ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hero Varun Chakaravarthy buried all the demons of his previous ICC event outing in Dubai, the T20 World Cup in 2021. Chakaravarthy picked 9 wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy, including a fifer in only his second ODI, helping India lift the trophy.

However, things were not so great when he played the 2021 T20 World Cup at the same venue. His mystery spin was dubbed the X-factor for the Indian team then as he had done well in the IPL. However, the spinner struggled and failed to grab a single wicket. He was also involved in India's notorious 10-wicket defeat at the hands of archrival Pakistan.

Varun claimed that he was in "depression" after the event because he did not perform well after getting selected for the national team. He further added that when he arrived in the nation, some individuals followed him to his house on bikes.

"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 said on a YouTube channel.

"After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. People said, 'Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to'. People approached my house and tracked me down, and I sometimes had to hide. When I was returning from the airport, some people followed me on their bikes. It happens. I can understand fans are emotional," he added.

In the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia and final against New Zealand, Varun scalped two wickets each.

Varun Chakaravarthy admitted that the 2021 T20 World Cup catastrophe forced him to make significant changes to his game. He discussed how he adjusted his daily routine and practicing program.

"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," said Varun.

"I cannot believe that all good things are happening in one go. I want to take it to the next level. I have faced setbacks and know how bad the criticism can be. But when I look back at those things and the praise I am receiving now, I am happy," he added.

Varun will be in action for the KKR as they look to defend their IPL title when the IPL 2025 begins on March 22.