India national cricket team spin-bowling talent Varun Chakravarthy opened up about a difficult phase in his life sharing that he received threatening phone calls following his disappointing showing during the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE.

chakravarthy-reveals-receiving-threats-after-2021-t20-wcThe leg-spinner revealed that there were times he had to hide as people tracked him down after his underwhelming performances. Chakravarthy also believed that his international career was over after being dropped from the national team following the tournament.

Reflecting on that time, Varun said, “It was a dark time for me. I was in depression 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. I had to change a lot about myself (after 2021). I had to change my daily routine, practice.Earlier, I used to practise 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," he said on Gobinath's YouTube show.

Varun further revealed the threats he received after the World Cup. "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—I 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 added.

Since his return to international cricket Varun has been in impressive form, with his performances in T20Is earning him a spot in Rohit Sharma-led India National Cricket Team Champions Trophy squad. In Dubai he made a strong impact taking nine wickets in three matches including a standout five-wicket haul against Blackcaps in the group stage game.

"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," the spinner recalled.

"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," he continued.

"Even when I was benched for the first two games, I was practising. 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," Chakravarthy concluded.