Gautam Gambhir has been compared to a “Spartan” by mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who claims that the India coach has given the team a mindset that does not tolerate mediocrity and where losing is not an option.
Chakravarthy, who has collaborated with Gambhir at the Kolkata Knight Riders, discussed the former India opener’s coaching style with the national team on Tuesday.
“I have already worked with him in the IPL and we won that (in 2024), so nothing new to me because I have already been around him,” on Tuesday, while attending the CEAT Cricket Rating awards in Mumbai, Chakravarthy told reporters.
“But definitely one thing which I can say about him is he brings a Spartan mentality to the team where there is no option of losing, you just have to bring (out) your best and give everything on the ground and later on, whatever happens, happens.
“When he is around, there is no mediocrity, you can’t be mediocre in the field, that’s what I feel,” he added.
According to Chakravarthy, the term “mystery spinner” was created by the media, and he does not consider himself to be one.
“I have never called myself a mystery bowler. It’s the media that has termed me (a mystery spinner). But, whatever it is, if you want to call me a mystery (spinner), it’s fine,” he said.
“But it’s just that I have the ability to bowl all the deliveries with the same grip and same release point. That’s what is making others find it tough to pick me,” Chakravarthy said.
Regarding the contentious Asia Cup, which India won but returned home without the players receiving their medals or trophy, Chakravarthy stated that the team was dedicated to staying undefeated and made it a point to turn off outside noise.
“We do plan before the match itself and before that (final) we had played the opponent (Pakistan) two times, so we had a fair idea of what their plans could be and what they will come up with, and we also had our own plans and we did well,” Chakravarthy said.
“I don’t know about others but our primary goal when we landed there was to win the cup only, not to look at other things. Our focus was always to win the cup and win against all the sides and go unbeaten in the tournament so that we can feel more stronger (going into) the (T20) World Cup.”
“If you ask me, what I saw is almost all the players switched off their social media accounts (and) only when they had to post something after the match they just came (on it). But none of them actually, (also) because we were in another country, maybe I don’t know how it was there in India at that time, but in UAE it was just all quiet,” he said.
According to Chakravarthy, bowling alongside Kuldeep Yadav has been a delightful experience that has benefited both spinners.
“We complement each other because I bowl at the speeds of (around) 95 km per hour and he bowls around 85 km per hour, so we kind of complement each other,” he said.
“He has more revs and more turn, I have more speed and bounce, so till now it’s been working well for us. Hopefully, we can do the same thing what we have been doing in the (T20) World Cup also,” Chakravarthy added.
Regarding his return to the Indian team, Chakravarthy gave Gambhir and T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav credit for giving him a role and boosting his confidence.
“When I made my comeback, Surya and GG (Gautam Gambhir), they told me that we are looking at you as one of the wicket takers for the Indian team and they have backed me throughout. For that, I have to give them the credit,” he said.
“I was out of the team for more than three years, but I did have a consecutive good IPL (seasons). For them to recognise that and bring me in the team, was great for me.”
“My role is to take wickets, keep attacking the stumps and nothing else. Take up the tougher job as in bowl in the powerplay, bowl one over in the death and two overs in the middle — that’s the role that they have given and I’m happy to do that,” Chakravarthy added.
The 34-year-old Chakravarthy disclosed that Gambhir has asked him to strengthen his batting in order to support his selection for the ODI team.
“Basically, the conversations (have been) around bowling longer spells because in T20Is, you maximum bowl two overs back-to-back. But in ODIs, you have to bowl five to six overs back to back, which I did work on and I was able to do it in the Champions Trophy,” he said.
“Definitely, he wants me to bat a little more up the order in domestic circuit and improve on my batting,” he added.
