Varun Chakaravarthy Sets Record as Fastest Indian Spinner to 200 T20 Wickets
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Kolkata, April 19 (NationPress) Varun Chakaravarthy made history as the fastest Indian spinner to achieve 200 wickets in T20 cricket on Sunday. This remarkable feat took place during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between his team, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Eden Gardens. Chakaravarthy struck in his opening over, dismissing young batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who misplayed a shot off a well-delivered ball and was caught in the deep by Ramandeep Singh.
This wicket not only provided KKR with an early advantage but also marked Chakaravarthy’s landmark achievement as he crossed the 200-wicket milestone faster than any other Indian spinner in T20s.
Chakaravarthy concluded with impressive figures of 3 for 14, also taking down Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal, effectively dismantling the RR batting order. His exceptional bowling was key in limiting the Royals to just 159 runs in 20 overs.
Among Indian bowlers in T20 cricket, only a select few have quickly reached the 200-wicket mark, but Chakaravarthy stands out as the fastest spinner to do so, achieving this in a mere 155 innings, surpassing numerous established players.
His closest competitors include Kuldeep Yadav, who hit the milestone in 160 innings, followed by Jaydev Unadkat in 162 and Mohammed Shami in 165. While Arshdeep Singh is the only Indian to reach this milestone faster overall at 151 innings, Chakaravarthy now holds the top position among spinners.
Throughout his IPL career, Chakaravarthy has claimed 105 wickets in 89 matches, averaging 24.17 with an economy rate of 7.65. In the ongoing season, he has secured five wickets in five matches at an average of 30.60. In T20 Internationals, he has taken 73 wickets from 45 matches at an average of 16.61, with an economy of 7.55, including two five-wicket hauls for India.