Varun Chakravarthy is focused on preserving the enigmatic nature of his bowling as he builds a strong argument for inclusion in the semi-finals. He highlights the strategic differences between his T20 and 50-over bowling approaches.
When questioned about his variations at a press conference, Varun cleverly sidestepped the specifics, simply stating that his deliveries go in, out, and straight. This response underscores his commitment to secrecy, a quality befitting a mystery spinner.
This air of secrecy is understandable and even adds to his persona as a ‘boss move’.
Varun admits that cricket was not his primary career ambition until the age of 26. His initial aspirations were in architecture and filmmaking, revealing diverse career interests.
Despite his late entry into professional cricket, at 33, Varun’s impressive performance of 5 for 42 in his second ODI match significantly strengthens his chances for a Champions Trophy semi-final selection. The semi-final is anticipated to be played on a surface that will likely favor his spin bowling. Varun’s background is rooted in IPL, with minimal first-class cricket experience.
He represents a modern approach to cricket, viewing it as a ‘career path’ while demonstrating exceptional skill. His success is attributed to his analytical approach and understanding of his role in the game.
Varun explained his adaptation to 50-over cricket from a T20 background.
‘In T20s, my strategy for sequencing deliveries within an over is completely different compared to the 50-over format,’ Varun stated. ‘I gained this understanding during my Vijay Hazare Trophy experiences over the past two years [India’s premier domestic one-day tournament]. This helped me discern when to utilize my various deliveries – incoming, outgoing, straighter, or topspin. It provided me with a crucial awareness of delivery timing, which contrasts sharply with my T20 approach.’
Reflecting on the match against New Zealand, Varun mentioned feeling less pressure due to the presence of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel in the team.
However, he acknowledges the pressure to keep his strategies concealed from future opponents, both in the ongoing tournament and in the upcoming IPL season. Varun is cautious about revealing his ‘trade secrets’, even to teammates.
Earlier in the Champions Trophy, Indian captain Rohit Sharma commented on Varun’s discreetness: ‘He doesn’t show us many variations in the nets, often bowling just one type. Perhaps he’s intentionally keeping his variations hidden, which is beneficial. He possesses unique skills that he prefers to unleash when it truly counts, and I fully support that.’
‘His distinctiveness is why he’s with us. He has been remarkable in the last eight to nine months, prompting us to bring him here to assess his capabilities for India on a major stage.’
Varun’s performances on the big stage suggest he deserves more ODI opportunities, especially on spin-friendly pitches. The semi-final against Australia is expected to be held on the same pitch used against Pakistan.
Having missed India’s initial two Champions Trophy matches, Varun has now made a strong case to remain in the team.
