Varun Chakaravarthy was included in India’s playing XI for their final Group A match, in place of Harshit Rana, and he made a big impact. His first success came in the 12th over when he clean-bowled Will Young for 22 off 35 balls. He followed it up by dominating Glenn Phillips, leg-before-wicket for 12 runs off just eight balls.
The experienced spinner then tore through New Zealand’s batting order, sending Michael Bracewell lbw for a mere two runs. He completed his five-wicket haul in his last over, knocking over Mitchell Santner’s stumps and then getting Matt Henry caught by Virat Kohli. His outstanding spell was instrumental in India’s dominating win as he took a stunning five-wicket haul.
In 2021 T20 World Cup Varun Chakaravarthy had a disappointing campaign where he failed to take wickets in the three matches played before being dropped from the playing XI. However since then he changed his game and secured a regular spot in India’s T20I squad. Although Varun remained wicketless in the 2021 T20 World Cup, he maintained a tight economy rate, something he later highlighted during a press conference while reflecting on his performance.
“Yeah, of course, in 2021, we didn’t have a – I didn’t, personally, I didn’t have a great tournament here. But I do feel that I did bowl decently. But the results were not our way. But it looks good right now. And Team India is doing well. And the combinations have set very well so feels good,” said Varun.
Chakaravarthy also opens about about how Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya helped him calm down.
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“And yeah, of course, the first spell of mine I was a little nervous because the previous things, the emotions and all were playing whatever happened in the last three years before in this ground. Where little bit it was playing with me and I was trying to keep it down, control it. But Virat bhai, Rohit and even Hardik, they were telling calm down, calm down. They were coming and talking to me. That really helped,” said Varun.
