Varun Chakravarthy Creates History: Becomes World No. 1 T20 Bowler, Joins Bumrah and Bishnoi in Elite Club

Indian mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has scripted a new chapter in cricket history by rising to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20 International Bowling Rankings for the very first time. With this achievement, Chakravarthy becomes only the third Indian bowler to claim the top position in the T20I bowling charts, following in the footsteps of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi.

A Career-Defining Moment

The ICC announced on Wednesday that Chakravarthy’s consistent performances throughout 2025 have finally earned him the ultimate reward. The 33-year-old spinner leapfrogged New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy to grab the coveted No. 1 ranking. Earlier in February, Chakravarthy had briefly touched the second spot, but this latest leap marks a career-best milestone.

Asia Cup Heroics

Varun Chakravarthy’s rise to the top comes on the back of stellar outings in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The spinner produced a sensational spell against the UAE, conceding just 4 runs for 1 wicket, followed by another tight performance of 1/24 against Pakistan. These economical spells not only helped India strengthen their campaign but also catapulted Chakravarthy three places up the ICC charts.

A Remarkable Year for Chakravarthy

The year 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary for the Tamil Nadu star. Earlier this year, he was instrumental in India’s five-match T20I series win over England, where he picked up 14 wickets, setting the tone for India’s preparations ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. His ability to deceive batters with variations and sharp turn has made him one of the most difficult bowlers to face in the shortest format.

Other Indian Movers in ICC Rankings

While Chakravarthy grabbed the headlines, several other Indian players made significant gains in the latest ICC update:

• Kuldeep Yadav jumped an impressive 16 places to reach 23rd position in the bowling rankings.

• Axar Patel climbed one spot to secure 12th place, underlining India’s depth in spin bowling.

• Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah moved up four positions to claim the 40th spot, further strengthening India’s bowling arsenal.

In the all-rounders’ category, Hardik Pandya continues to hold the No. 1 ranking, while rising star Abhishek Sharma climbed four places to reach 14th position. Abhishek also maintained his dominance in the batting rankings, staying at the top with a career-high 884 rating points. Vice-captain Shubman Gill advanced to 39th place, while young talent Tilak Varma slipped to fourth and Suryakumar Yadav dropped to seventh. Among overseas players, England’s Phil Salt and Jos Buttler remain second and third respectively in the batting charts.

Setting a New Benchmark

Chakravarthy’s journey from domestic cricket to international stardom has been nothing short of inspirational. Known for his deceptive variations and ability to bowl under pressure, he has become a match-winner for India in crucial games. His rise to the No. 1 spot reflects not only personal excellence but also India’s growing dominance in world cricket’s shortest format.

As the Asia Cup progresses, all eyes will remain on Varun Chakravarthy to see if he can maintain his stellar form and lead India to yet another prestigious title.

Disclaimer: Rankings are based on the latest ICC update and may change with ongoing matches.