“Why Don’t You Just Die”: Varun Chakravarthy Opens Up About Severe Online Abuse Following IPL 2021 Suspension

Indian national team and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy has disclosed the extreme online harassment he endured after becoming the first player to test positive for COVID-19 during the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Speaking on the YouTube series Journey to Jersey, the 33-year-old detailed the intense public backlash that followed the abrupt mid-season suspension of the tournament. With the nation under strict pandemic lockdown procedures, fans directed severe hostility toward the spinner, blaming him directly for the cessation of live cricket broadcasts.

The 2021 Bio-Bubble Breach and Immediate Fallout

In May 2021, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) indefinitely suspended the 14th edition of the IPL after 29 matches. The decision came after Chakravarthy and his KKR teammate Sandeep Warrier returned positive test results, signaling a breach in the tournament’s bio-secure environment. Reports indicated Chakravarthy had exited the team hotel with official medical clearance for a shoulder scan, where he was exposed to the virus.

“The worst was when the IPL was stopped in 2021,” Chakravarthy stated during the interview. “It got stopped halfway because I got COVID. I was the first person to test positive. So the whole IPL had stopped.”

The subsequent online reaction crossed the line from sports criticism to targeted harassment. “There were people abusing me. Back then, the IPL was the only way people were passing time. They were so angry that it was stopped. People were saying, ‘Why don’t you just die.’ It was that bad,” he recalled.

Career Resurgence and Statistical Dominance

Despite the emotional toll of the 2021 season, Chakravarthy rebuilt his career to become a premier limited-overs bowler. Contradicting previous erroneous reports regarding his World Cup participation, his verified professional record demonstrates consistent high-level performance under pressure.

During the 2024 IPL season, Chakravarthy was instrumental in securing the championship for KKR, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 21 dismissals. This domestic success led to a recall to the national squad, where he delivered dominant performances against South Africa in November 2024, including an elite five-wicket haul.

Verified Career Statistics

Note: Data verified via ESPNcricinfo.

Chakravarthy’s trajectory from facing extreme public vitriol to anchoring a championship-winning team highlights the often-unseen psychological pressures professional athletes navigate. His ongoing success for both his franchise and the International Cricket Council (ICC) full member nation firmly establishes his position as an elite modern-day spinner.