The redemption arc of Varun Chakravarthy was completed as he exorcised the ghosts of Dubai in just his second ODI by registering his maiden five-wicket haul in the format. In 2021, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium had not been kind to him, but on Sunday night, he made an instant impact with his variations, helping India secure a 44-run victory in a low-scoring game.
Chakravarthy’s performance left the Indian team management in a dilemma about whether to include him in the semifinal against Australia. His mystery bowling style impressed both his captain Rohit Sharma and New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, who also had a five-wicket haul in the match.
Despite his success, Chakravarthy remains an enigma as he keeps some of his variations hidden even in the nets. His accuracy, deception, and subtle changes make him a challenging bowler to face, with batsmen struggling to pick his deliveries. In his full quota of 10 overs, Chakravarthy took key wickets that may not have been his best deliveries, showcasing his ability to outsmart the batsmen.
As he continues to evolve as a bowler, Chakravarthy’s success in ODIs is a testament to his growth from a T20 specialist to a reliable option in the longer format. His performance in the Vijay Hazare tournament and his ability to adapt to different formats suggest that he has the potential to excel in all formats of the game. Chakaravarthy shared how playing in the 50-over format helped him understand when to bowl his incoming delivery, outgoing delivery, or the straighter one, which was different from his T20 tactics. He expressed that this shift required a lot of playing to grasp the nuances. The real test of this transition will be on Tuesday when India faces Australia in the semifinal. This adaptation will be crucial for Chakaravarthy as he navigates the challenges of the longer format. The article was originally published on Cricbuzz.
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