Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy is not worried about the number of wickets he has so far taken in the ongoing IPL 2022, and also revealed that he is working on a new variation that he hopes to use in the upcoming matches in the tournament.
The 30-year-old leg-spinner was the highest wicket-taker for KKR last season with 18 wickets from 17 matches, but in the ongoing IPL 2022, he has taken just four wickets from five games for KKR.
As reported by PTI, Chakaravarthy stated: “It is bound to happen; people will have plans against me. Last year in the Indian leg, I had six to seven wickets in seven matches. Later on, I picked up more wickets, so you cannot predict how many wickets you are going to get.”
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On the new variation, the spinner said: “I’m working on a new variation which I am looking forward to bowling more. If it starts clicking well it will definitely add a new dimension to my game. I’m working on a leg spin. I’ve been working for it for the last two years. I’ve bowled in a few matches and I have got a wicket out of that also. I need to be a little more confident (bowling the new variation) and start bowling it more.”
An injury-prone Chakaravarthy returned to competitive cricket in the ongoing IPL 2022 after recovering from a calf injury. Speaking about the same, the spinner added: “I was at the NCA for the treatment of my injury. Now it is resolved very well. I could take the field without any painkiller. So, I am feeling fitter and that has helped me to bowl a lot better.”
Asked what kind of adjustments he makes to pick wickets, Chakaravarthy said: “Stick to your basic plan, stick to your strength rather than focusing on the batsmen. So, to change the mental set-up.”
Hailing Rashid Khan, the Indian spinner said: “In cricket, you are bound to be hit. The best spinner right now is Rashid (Khan) and even though he has gone for runs (in some matches) but he is still the best. It happens in a few matches, you will have a bad day and you just need to bounce back.”
Chakaravarthy also said that he shares a special relationship with his fellow KKR spinner Sunil Narine. He added, “Sunil is like a big brother to me. If I go through a lean patch he will come to me and talk to me. He has also shared with me personal things to which he is vulnerable. It is great of such a legend to talk to me about such things, to let me know he is vulnerable and he also goes through lean patches and tough times. So, talking to him gives you confidence and reinforces self-belief.”
Chakaravarthy also said that the current competition among Indian leg-spinners does not put any pressure on him about his place in the Indian cricket team.
He signed off by saying, “I see it as healthy competition. I messaged Yuzi also, the way he bowled, he is in the amazing form right now, Ravi Bishnoi is bowling brilliantly, Kuldeep is doing very well for his team, and Rahul Chahar is brilliant. I just feel nice when a leg spinner does well.”
(With PTI Inputs)
