Overview

• Speaking at the CEAT awards in Mumbai on Oct. 7, Varun Chakravarthy said Gautam Gambhir has instilled a “Spartan” mindset with no room for mediocrity and no option of losing.
• He said most India players switched off social media during the politically charged Asia Cup to keep their focus on going unbeaten and beating Pakistan in the final.
• Chakravarthy credited Gambhir and T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav for his comeback with a specific brief to attack the stumps and take on powerplay, middle-overs and death-over assignments.
• Reacting to his omission from the ODI squad for the Australia tour, he called it a conditions-based selection and noted he remains part of India’s T20I plans.
• He highlighted his complementary partnership with Kuldeep Yadav — higher pace and bounce versus greater revs and turn — after the pair helped India win the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup in 2025.