Varun Chakravarthy Admits Being Motivated by Virat Kohli’s Inspirational Leadership

Varun Chakravarthy and Virat Kohli last played together during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final, which India won by defeating New Zealand.

Varun Chakravarthy Admits Being Motivated by Virat Kohli’s Inspirational Leadership

Varun Chakravarthy praised Virat Kohli's exceptional leadership abilities as Team India captain. (Image via CNBC)

Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his outstanding leadership during his tenure as Team India captain. Chakravarthy confessed that Kohli’s leadership and his knack for challenging opponents were a source of motivation for him.

Virat Kohli first captained the Indian side in a Test match in December 2014, standing in for an injured MS Dhoni, against Australia in Adelaide. Following the latter’s retirement from the longest format of the game in 2014, Kohli was appointed India’s full-time Test captain. He then took over from Dhoni in ODIs and T20s as well in January 2017, thereafter assuming the leadership role across all three formats.

The 36-year-old went on to enjoy an impressive captaincy stint, particularly leading the charts in Test cricket. He is by far considered as India’s most successful Test captain, having led the team to 40 wins in 68 Test matches at a brilliant 58.82 win percentage. In white-ball cricket, Kohli was equally successful, leading India to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, and the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final.

Following a series of disappointing results in late 2021, Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s captain, relinquishing the Test captaincy in January 2022. Rohit Sharma then took over as captain across all three formats, a role he held until both players retired from T20Is and Tests. Kohli, despite remaining trophyless as a captain, has been remembered for his aggressive leadership and for transforming Indian cricket.

One of the players who has played in the Indian white-ball team, both under Kohli and Sharma’s captaincy, is Varun Chakravarthy. In fact, he made his international debut in the very tournament, the 2021 T20 World Cup, which cost Virat Kohli his captaincy. The Men in Blue had a forgettable WC campaign in the UAE, getting knocked out of the Super 12 stages after coming third in the group, behind Pakistan and New Zealand. 

Chakravarthy in an interview with R. Ashwin, recently emphasised upon how true Kohli was the leader of the Indian cricket side, while reflecting back on India’s humiliating Super 12 defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan at the 2021 T20 WC. He praised Kohli as a motivating leader who kept his teammates’ spirits high. He added that Kohli’s on-field responses and challenges to the opposition were inspirational, and that he himself felt motivated after speaking with him.

Virat Kohli is a very motivational leader. It was so inspiring to see him give it back to the opposition. Virat is exceptional with the way he cheers up everyone. Whenever I spoke to Virat, his responses were very motivational.

Varun Chakravarthy on R. Ashwin’s YouTube Show

Meanwhile, on Rohit Sharma, Chakravarthy lauded the 38-year-old Indian ODI captain as a tactical genius. Nonetheless, the three players will next be seen in action when India take on Bangladesh in a three match ODI and T20I series, away from home. 

Ravi Shastri Reveals his Pick Between Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar

Former Team India head coach and 1983 World Cup winning star Ravi Shastri revealed his pick for the greatest Indian batsman of all time, while sharing his vision for a perfect Indian batter. Shastri named his pick for the greatest between Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli. 

Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar
Ravi Shastri picked the best Indian batter between Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar. (via Britannica)

Shastri placed Tendulkar on top and went on to describe him as the most complete batter that the world has ever seen. He lauded Tendulkar’s technique, which allowed him to excel in all conditions. Second, the 63-year-old picked Sunil Gavaskar, and even labelled him as the finest opener that India has ever seen. Shastri acknowledged Gavaskar’s ability to face fierce pace attacks on uncovered pitches with minimal protective gear.

Completing his list, Shastri picked 21st century Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as the third best batter. Shastri lauded Kohli’s aggressive approach and remarkable consistency, even drawing parallels between him and the legendary West Indies batter Vivian Richards.