The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association’s (TNCA) surprising move involving India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has sparked massive buzz on social media. This move sparked speculations that India’s T20I side and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are all set to have a new face in the leadership.
Presently, it is unlikely that the Kolkata Knight Riders would retain Ajinkya Rahane as captain for the IPL 2026 after a poor campaign earlier this year. Since there are not many Indian options available for the captaincy, the KKR might surprise the fans with a big announcement.
Varun Chakravarthy emerges as surprise front-runner for KKR captaincy
Earlier, the Kolkata franchise tried to bring KL Rahul on board, but Delhi Capitals refused the offers the franchise offered them, and now Sanju Samson is all but confirmed to trade to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 player retentions.
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Both Rahul and Samson are wicketkeeper-batters, and they are proven captains in the IPL. Since both deals are currently off the table, KKR might be forced to look into the present squad to hand over the captaincy for the next season, and Chakravarthy could be the option.
The star spinner has been part of the franchise since 2020, and he already has the experience of 84 IPL games, taking 100 wickets at an average of 23.85 and an economy rate of 7.57. Varun is now seen as the frontrunner to become KKR’s new captain after Tamil Nadu’s shocking move.
Indian captaincy on the cards as TNCA named Varun Chakravarthy captain for SMAT 2025
On Thursday, November 13, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) announced the 16-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025, beginning November 26, and Varun Chakravarthy was announced as their captain, with N. Jagadeesan being his deputy.
While Shahrukh Khan and R Sai Kishore have been named in the Tamil Nadu squad for the premier T20 tournament, it was quite bewildering that Sai Sudharsan didn’t find a place in the squad. Even Sai was dropped from India’s XI for the ongoing Kolkata Test against South Africa.
Chakravarthy has stepped into the role of captain for the first time in his professional career. This move came at the crucial juncture, with the Men in Blue preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
He is already one of India’s most reliable bowlers, and now he gets a precious opportunity to grow as a leader while guiding his state team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025.
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Varun Chakravarthy to miss SMAT knockouts for India duty
After his captaincy debut, the star spinner will soon rejoin the national side for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, starting December 6. With India scheduled to play ten T20Is before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the mystery spinner is in for a demanding but rewarding stretch.
This announcement sparked the buzz that the Kolkata Knight Riders seem to be taking a bold step with Varun Chakravarthy, similar to what RCB once did with Rajat Patidar after IPL 2024. KKR seems to be ready to give the captaincy to Varun ahead of the IPL 2026.
What RCB did with Patidar after IPL 2024 – KKR doing with Varun !!!
If you have it first show it (captiancy skills)
KKR (C) loading— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) November 13, 2025
Captaincy debut for Varun C?
KKR fans, captain Varun loading? pic.twitter.com/UOQji8U4Va— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) November 13, 2025
However, Varun will miss the final stages of SMAT 2025, which runs until December 18, because he will join the India squad for their T20I series against South Africa starting December 6.
Tamil Nadu squad SMAT 2025:
Varun Chakravarthy (C), Narayan Jagadeesan (VC/WK), Tushar Raheja (WK), S Rithik Easwaran (WK), VP Amit Sathvik, M Shahrukh Khan, Andre Siddarth, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Shivam Singh, R Sai Kishore, M Siddharth, T Natarajan, Gurjapneet Singh, A Esakkimuthu, R Sonu Yadav, R Silambarasan.
