Varun Chakravarthy has been referred to as a “magician with the ball” by batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, as the mystery spinner continues to confound batters with his cunning and distinctive variations.
India defeated New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 International on Wednesday in Nagpur thanks to two significant wickets taken by Chakravarthy at pivotal moments.
“Varun looked a little rusty, but that’s understandable. He picked up two wickets and the economy rate, when the batters are going hell-bent for leather, was pretty decent as well. The important thing is that his body language was good.
“Often, you know, his body language, sometimes when he’s taken for a few runs, can be a little bit down. That didn’t happen,” PTI quoted Gavaskar as saying on JioHotstar.
The former India captain added, “He (Varun) was walking back to the mark, upright, wasn’t looking fazed by the fact that he’d been hit for a couple of sixes, and that’s always a very good sign. He’s a magician, make no mistake. He bowls brilliantly. So yes, in this format or even in the 50-over format, which will be expensive, he just has to believe, ‘Yes, next over I’m going to get my two wickets,’ and that’s what he does.”
In the opening game of the series, which is the team’s last practice before the T20 World Cup, India gave a “very heartening” performance, according to Gavaskar.
India scored a commanding 238 for 7 riding on Abhishek Sharma’s 84 off just 35 balls and Rinku Singh’s 44 not out off 20 balls. Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya then made the crucial breakthroughs to restrict New Zealand to 190/7.
“You win the first game, that’s a ticked box for sure. Yes, within that ticked box, there will be other small boxes to be ticked off, but you know it’s always good to start the new year, a new campaign, with a win before the World Cup,” Gavaskar said.
“I think it’s always good to start with a win, so no complaints whatsoever. I think India did brilliantly to get to 238 and then they bowled really well. Yes, the odd catch went down, but all around the performance was very, very heartening.”
The second Twenty20 International is scheduled to be played in Raipur on Friday.
