Varun Chakaravarthy’s initial eight deliveries against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday were expensive, conceding 21 runs. While such a challenging start might unnerve many bowlers, the leg-spinner from Tamil Nadu, known for his diverse variations, seems to handle pressure with remarkable composure.
Despite the challenging beginning in his 22nd T20I appearance, the 34-year-old quickly turned the tide. He decisively dismissed Shamim Hossain and then gave away only eight more runs in his subsequent 16 balls, concluding with an impressive spell of 4-0-29-2.
Chakaravarthy’s crucial performance, alongside Kuldeep Yadav (4-0-18-3) and Jasprit Bumrah (4-0-18-2), played a key role in India’s 41-run victory, securing their spot in the Asia Cup final on Sunday. He emphasized that even when his first PowerPlay over yielded 13 runs, his focus remained squarely on taking wickets.
“In the PowerPlay, my only goal is to hunt for wickets,” Varun stated during the post-match press conference. “It’s all about finding that one delivery that lands perfectly and gets a bit of turn. That’s my designated role. Even if I concede a few runs, my strategy is always to keep attacking and aim for those crucial breakthroughs.” He further noted that the Dubai pitches tend to favor spinners more as the ball ages. “Initially, the ball skids on quite a bit. There isn’t much assistance if you’re bowling in or immediately after the PowerPlay. However, as the field spreads and the game progresses, conditions improve for spinners,” he observed.
Having established himself as a reliable white-ball specialist for India in recent months, Varun isn’t resting on his laurels; he’s actively refining other aspects of his game.
“After the IPL concluded, I participated in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. Following the TNPL, I took a week-long break during which I dedicated a significant amount of time to practice,” he revealed.
“My primary focus has been on improving my batting and fielding skills,” Varun added, highlighting his commitment to becoming a more well-rounded player.