Follows India‘s historic title defense T20 World Cup 2026star spinners Varun Chakraborty and Washington Sundar they traded their cricket spikes for walking shoes. On Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu duo was seen in the holy city of Tiruvannamalai, fulfilling a deep personal spiritual vow (prarthana) by completing the 14 km Girivalam around the holy Arunachala hill.
Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the Blues recently won by 96 runs. New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. As the nation erupted in celebration, Chakravarthy and Sundar headed south to give thanks for the victory. Girivalam is a centuries-old tradition where devotees walk clockwise around the hill, which is considered to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar make a 14km pilgrimage to Girivalam after winning the T20 World Cup
For the two cricketers, it was not a casual visit but a fulfillment of a promise made before the tournament began. In videos circulating on social media, athletes were seen mingling with thousands of pilgrims in plain clothes while moving along the 14 km perimeter of the hill.
Arunachaleswarar Temple, one of the largest and most important Shiva temples in India, serves as the spiritual center of this journey. Performing Girivalam, especially after a career-defining achievement like a World Cup victory, is an experience rooted in the Bhakti tradition of Tamil Nadu. Fans and locals who know the stars have been impressed by their humility, noting that despite the glitz of international cricket, the players remain connected to their cultural roots.
After completing the evening visit, the duo entered the inner sanctum of the temple to seek the blessings of the deity. The timing of their visit is significant as India’s victory on March 8 cemented a new era of dominance in the game’s shortest format, and for Chakravarthy it marked personal redemption on the world stage.
We present the video:
Team India cricketers Varun Chakraborty and Washington Sunder fulfilled their promise to do Girivalam in Thiruvannamalai.
Girivalam is a 14 kilometer sacred circumambulation (walk around) of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. The hill itself… pic.twitter.com/rtEFP9Mnnr
— Sheetal Chopra 🇮🇳 (@SheetalPronamo) March 12, 2026
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From World Cup glory to IPL 2026: What lies ahead for the spin duo?
Chakravarthy’s performance in the 2026 edition was nothing short of sensational. Finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, his mysterious spin has nullified many a top-order batting line-up. Although his wicket-taking slowed down during the high-pressure Super 8s, his groundwork in the group stages was instrumental in India’s unbeaten run.
Sundar with his opposite looks while playing more of a supporting role in this particular campaign The Netherlands and South Africaremains an important cog in India’s white-ball set-up due to his all-round capabilities.
As the festivities end, attention immediately shifts to the inner circle. Both the players are ready to join their respective franchises IPL 2026. Chakravarti returns Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)After being retained for INR 12 crore, he remains the cornerstone of the bowling attack. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar will depart Gujarat Titans (GT) his camp wants to justify his INR 3.2 crore catch with a great season. Carrying Prasadam and World Cup winning momentum, the duo looks set to dominate the upcoming T20 summer.
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