Varun Chakravarthy has opened up about his relationship with former Indian spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin and shared insights into a comment made by captain Rohit Sharma regarding his bowling variations during net sessions.
Chakravarthy and Ashwin had the opportunity to share the dressing room at Dindigul Dragons during the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024, where Ashwin foresaw Chakravarthy's inclusion over Harshit Rana for India's final group stage clash against New Zealand—a prediction that proved to be accurate.
Chakravarthy's outstanding performance against New Zealand, where he claimed match-winning figures of 5/42, was instrumental in securing a 44-run victory for India.
Reflecting on his rapport with Ashwin, the 33-year-old spinner expressed how the seasoned player has been a supportive figure. "In our TNPL days, I have had several chats with Ashwin. Being part of his team, he’s been a well-wisher for me," Chakravarthy commented before the match.
Rohit Sharma had previously remarked that Chakravarthy doesn't showcase a wide array of variations during net practices with the Indian batsmen.
Addressing this, Chakravarthy explained, "In T20s, I craft my overs differently compared to ODIs. The sequence of deliveries varies, and that's likely why it seems I don't use all my variations in nets, but I do."
Despite delivering a brilliant performance, Chakravarthy admitted to being plagued by nerves, owing to his less-than-stellar outing in the T20 World Cup 2021. However, senior players like Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya provided crucial support, encouraging him to maintain composure throughout his spell. "During my first spell, I was a bit anxious as past memories lingered. On this ground, past events played on my mind, but Virat, Rohit, and Hardik kept me grounded. Their words of reassurance were invaluable," Chakravarthy acknowledged.
With this remarkable display against the Kiwis, Chakravarthy has undoubtedly exorcised the ghosts of his past and established himself as a key player in India's bowling setup.