CRICKET | Varun bats for participation in the domestic circuit

India’s Varun Chakaravarthy during the practice session ahead of the T20 match against England at the MAC Stadium in Chennai on Friday.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU

India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy stressed the importance of domestic cricket and said that playing for his state side has improved his game.

“The level of cricket in the domestic is extremely high. It is almost on par with IPL and the other international matches we play. I would suggest everyone go and play the Syed Mushtaq Ali because we play on small grounds. It is very challenging,” said Varun ahead of India’s second T20 against England on Friday.

“I find it very tough playing SMAT. It has helped me get better, be more instinctive and on my toes and think correctly at the right moment,” he added.

Fresh off a match-winning performance in the first match in Kolkata, the 33-year-old Tamil Nadu spinner is raring to go on Saturday in what will be his first match for India on home soil.

“Back to Chennai and in the Blues. I see it as a very important day for me. I’m coming back to Chennai after a long time and playing for the country in front of my parents and the home crowd. Yeah, it is very special for me,” said Varun, who has taken 20 wickets in the eight matches since his comeback to the national side last year.

When asked about his preparations, the mystery spinner revealed that he researches on the batters he will face before the series. “The first thing that begins with preparation is looking at the batsmen’s videos, what their release shots are, and if they have added a new shot. Based on that and the pitch — on certain pitches, some shots work, and some don’t — I have certain calculations in my mind, and I work around that,” Varun explained.