The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has once again proven that bowlers, especially spinners, can make just as much of a splash as batsmen — and one standout name this year is Varun Chakravarthy.
Who is Varun Chakravarthy?
Varun Chakravarthy is a right-arm leg-spin bowler, born on August 29, 1991. Known for his mystery spin and pinpoint accuracy, Varun has been a constant threat to batsmen in both IPL and international cricket. He made his T20I debut for India in 2021 and went on to debut in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in February 2025.
One of his recent highlights came during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker — showcasing his world-class skill on the big stage.
IPL Journey: From Punjab Kings to KKR
- 2019 (Punjab Kings)
Varun was bought for a whopping ₹8.4 crores in his debut season. Unfortunately, he only played 1 match and couldn’t showcase his true potential. - 2020 (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) grabbed him for ₹4 crores. This season, he made a strong comeback, taking 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.84. His ability to outfox batsmen impressed the franchise. - 2021 (KKR)
Due to his 2020 success, KKR retained him for the same salary — ₹4 crores. He bettered his performance by taking 18 wickets. - 2022 (KKR)
Recognizing his consistent contributions, KKR offered him a salary raise — doubling it from ₹4 crores to ₹8 crores. - 2023 (KKR)
Varun recorded an impressive 20 wickets, prompting KKR to retain him once again at ₹8 crores. - 2024 (KKR)
He reached a new personal milestone with 21 wickets, the highest in his IPL career so far. KKR retained him at ₹8 crores once again. - 2025 (KKR)
Due to his excellent form, including his Champions Trophy performance, KKR increased his salary by 50% — from ₹8 crores to ₹12 crores.
Ajinkya Rahane — The Captain with a Modest Paycheck
While Varun Chakravarthy has seen a sharp rise in his paycheck over the years, the same cannot be said for Ajinkya Rahane, the seasoned batsman and current captain of KKR. His salary for IPL 2025 is reported at ₹1.5 crores.
The Shocking 700% Salary Gap Explained
Let’s break it down:
- Varun Chakravarthy’s salary in 2025: ₹12 crores
- Ajinkya Rahane’s salary in 2025: ₹1.5 crores
To calculate how much bigger Varun’s salary is compared to Rahane’s: Percentage Increase=(12−1.51.5)×100=700%\text{Percentage Increase} = \left(\frac{12 – 1.5}{1.5}\right) \times 100 = 700\%Percentage Increase=(1.512−1.5)×100=700%
So Varun earns 700% more than his captain, Rahane!
This highlights not only his importance to the team but also how IPL franchises today are willing to reward specialized bowlers, especially spinners, who can change the course of the match.
Total IPL Earnings
Varun Chakravarthy has also built quite the financial portfolio over the years:
- 2019: ₹8.4 crores
- 2020: ₹4 crores
- 2021: ₹4 crores
- 2022: ₹8 crores
- 2023: ₹8 crores
- 2024: ₹8 crores
- 2025: ₹12 crores
Total IPL earnings: 8.4+4+4+8+8+8+12=₹52.4 crores8.4 + 4 + 4 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 12 = ₹52.4 \text{ crores}8.4+4+4+8+8+8+12=₹52.4 crores
That’s an impressive total, reflecting both his longevity and his consistent impact in the IPL.
Final Thoughts
Varun Chakravarthy’s journey from being a mystery spinner to one of the highest-paid bowlers in IPL 2025 shows how valuable specialist bowlers have become in the league. Despite cricket being often seen as a “batsman’s game,” it’s the bowlers like Varun who have proven their worth — not just on the pitch, but in the auction room too!
And the 700% salary gap between Varun and KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane? That’s proof that in modern T20 cricket, performance often outweighs even leadership roles when it comes to payday.