Ravi Bishnoi Vs Varun Chakaravarthy: Who is India’s Best T20I Spinner?

Ravi Bishnoi Vs Varun Chakaravarthy: Indian cricket fans are witnessing an exciting battle between two spin wizards—Ravi Bishnoi vs Varun Chakaravarthy. Both bowlers have taken the T20I world by storm, and choosing between them has become one of the hottest debates in cricket circles.

As of January 2026, both spinners have reached the top of the ICC T20I Bowling Rankings, proving they’re among the best in the business. But who has the edge? Let’s break it down.

The Journey to the Top

Ravi Bishnoi was the first to make waves. The young leg-spinner quickly became India’s most trusted wicket-taker in the middle overs. His ability to pick up crucial wickets earned him the world No. 1 ranking in 2023-24.

Meanwhile, Varun Chakaravarthy’s career looked uncertain after early struggles. However, 2025 changed everything. The mystery spinner roared back to form, delivering performances that broke long-standing records and left cricket experts stunned.

Ravi Bishnoi Vs Varun Chakaravarthy Career Stats Comparison

Here’s how these two brilliant bowlers stack up against each other:

Performance Metric	Ravi Bishnoi	Varun Chakaravarthy
Matches	42	35
Wickets	61	58
Bowling Average	19.38	15.34
Economy Rate	7.36	7.09
Strike Rate	15.80	12.98
Best Figures	4/13	5/17
5-Wicket Hauls	0	2
Highest ICC Rating	707	818

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What the Numbers Tell Us

When analyzing Ravi Bishnoi vs Varun Chakaravarthy, the stats reveal interesting insights:

Chakaravarthy’s Deadly Strike Rate: Varun takes a wicket every 13 balls, making him one of the quickest wicket-takers in T20I cricket. Bishnoi strikes every 16 balls—still excellent, but slightly behind his competitor.

Better Economy: Chakaravarthy also edges ahead with an economy rate of 7.09 compared to Bishnoi’s 7.36. In the fast-paced T20 format, every run counts.

Record-Breaking Performance: Chakaravarthy made history in December 2025 by achieving an ICC rating of 818 points—the highest ever by an Indian bowler in T20Is. He broke Jasprit Bumrah’s previous record of 783 points, which stood for years.

Five-Wicket Magic: Varun has two five-wicket hauls, including a memorable spell against South Africa. Bishnoi is still chasing his first T20I five-fer, though his best figures of 4/13 show he’s capable of match-winning performances.

Different Styles, Same Impact

What makes the Ravi Bishnoi vs Varun Chakaravarthy comparison fascinating is how differently they operate:

Bishnoi relies on traditional leg-spin with excellent variations and consistent line and length. He’s particularly effective in the middle overs when batsmen try to accelerate.

Chakaravarthy uses mystery spin that leaves batsmen guessing. His carrom balls and variations are extremely difficult to pick, making him a nightmare to face.

Current Form in 2026

Both spinners are currently featuring in the India vs New Zealand T20I series in January 2026. In the latest match on January 21, Chakaravarthy grabbed 2/37, continuing his impressive run. Bishnoi remains a regular in the squad, providing captain Rohit Sharma with reliable spin options.

The Ravi Bishnoi vs Varun Chakaravarthy debate doesn’t have a clear winner—and that’s great news for Indian cricket. Both bowlers bring unique skills to the table, and their rivalry is pushing each other to perform at extraordinary levels.

While Chakaravarthy currently holds the statistical edge with better averages and a historic ICC rating, Bishnoi’s consistency and youth (he’s just getting started) make him equally valuable. India is fortunate to have both these world-class spinners leading the attack in T20I cricket.