Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra, praised Varun Chakaravarthy after his win in the first T20I against England in Kolkata. The mystery spinner impressed everyone by finishing with stunning figures of 3/23 in four overs.
His efforts helped the Indian cricket team beat England by 132 before the hosts reached the target with ease, winning the first T20I by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in Wednesday, January 23.
Aakash Chopra welcomes Varun Chakaravarthy’s makeover as a bowler
After the match, Aakash Chopra highlighted the incredible transformation of Varun Chakaravarthy, saying that the mystery spinner now takes on the challenge of bowling in the powerplay with confidence. His ability to slow the ball in the air and control it with precision caught the attention of cricket experts.
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Referring to Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, the former India batsman mentioned that spinners usually tend to pick up the pace under pressure, but Chakaravarthy stays calm and sticks to his power, even when he is hit for runs. He emphasized that both spinners are different.
Varun Chakaravarthy is not Rashid Khan: Aakash Chopra
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said, “Ever since Varun Chakaravarthy came back, he started bowling in the powerplay. He came and knocked down the sixth pin, and his bowling was incredible. What I like the most is that it slowly bounces in the air. He is happy just driving the ball.
Pace is a big indicator in my opinion because nowadays spinners get fast as soon as they get hit and fast bowlers get slow. If the spinner bowls with confidence, he goes slow. You go slow even if you get a six unless you are Rashid Khan. His bowling style is different. He will bowl fast. However, Varun Chakaravarthy is no Rashid.”
Further, the commentator noted that Varun Chakaravarthy is a skilled bowler with many tricks. He can throw a broken leg and googling, which is hard to hit. In the past, batsmen could guess what kind of ball Varun would bowl and even the spinner bowled bad balls, short or full.
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Aakash Chopra says Varun Chakaravarthy is no longer predictable for batsmen
However, Varun has now upped his game in terms of length and even line, as Aakash Chopra pointed out that the Indian spinner has bowled with more control and accuracy over the past few years. Cricket experts further mentioned that Varun rarely bowls bad balls now.
Chopra also pointed out that Chakaravarthy’s deliveries now start and end within three stumps and he can also start his deliveries outside the off-stump, making him even more of a challenge to face the batsmen.
After winning the man of the match award in Kolkata, Varun revealed that he is trying to make his bowling more unpredictable. And for which he adds variations in the speed at which he delivers the ball as he continues to use overspin to make his deliveries even more of a challenge for the batsmen.
