Varun Chakaravarthy played a crucial role in the 1st T20 vs New Zealand on Wednesday, taking crucial wickets in critical junctures, ultimately helping India win the match by 48 runs. India legend Sunil Gavaskar lavished praise on the mystery spinner after the match, calling him a magician.
“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,” Gavaskar said on JioHotstar.
“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.” he added.
The legend also said that India had produced a very heartening performance in the match which will bode well for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“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. 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,” Gavaskar said.
