India spinner Varun Chakravarthy recently opened up about the toughest challenges he has faced in T20 cricket - and the names he mentioned show how quickly Abhishek Sharma has risen in stature.
Speaking on Breakfast with Champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders bowler reflected on his experiences bowling to some of the game's biggest hitters, while also sharing personal anecdotes from his IPL journey and India's Asia Cup win.
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Abhishek Sharma among Varun Chakravarthy's toughest opponents
When asked to name the three toughest batters he has bowled to, Varun didn't hesitate: Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and Abhishek Sharma.
"Chris Gayle, Virat, and, of late, Abhishek Sharma. You should tell Abhishek next time to try to be soft on the bowlers. Let him bat like this for India, not for SRH," Varun said on Breakfast with Champions.
Abhishek's explosive form in the Asia Cup 2025 has drawn plenty of praise. The left-hander smashed 314 runs at an average of 44.85 and a strike rate of 200, with three half-centuries.
Varun Chakravarthy's IPL record vs Gayle, Kohli and Abhishek
Let's take a look at Chakravarthy's IPL record against the 3 batters he mentioned.
Batter | Innings | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | 4s | 6s | Wickets | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Gayle | 1 | 15 | 5 | 300.00 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - |
Virat Kohli | 8 | 55 | 48 | 114.58 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 55.00 |
Abhishek Sharma | 3 | 28 | 14 | 200.00 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 28.00 |
Varun Chakravarthy on bowling to MS Dhoni at Chepauk
Chakravarthy also recalled his early days as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings, where he had the rare chance to bowl to MS Dhoni. He said the experience was unforgettable, not only because of Dhoni's skill but also because it happened at his home ground, Chepauk.
"There were a few times when I got the better of him, but many times he smashed the life out of me," he said.
The spinner added that seeing crowds pack the stadium even for practice sessions made the moment even more special.
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