Varun Chakaravarthy has never been the loudest presence on the field but his bowling often speaks in riddles that batters struggle to solve. Known for his mystery and calm approach, the spinner once again showed how belief and patience can make a big difference at the highest level.
That quiet confidence was on display during India’s opening T20I win over New Zealand, where Varun Chakaravarthy played a key role despite early signs of rustiness. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was particularly impressed by how the spinner handled pressure and he also addressed him as a magician. He felt that even though Varun was attacked early, he stayed composed, picked up important wickets and kept his emotions in check, which reflected growing maturity.
Sunil Gavaskar observed that in the past, Varun Chakaravarthy could appear affected after being hit for runs but this time there was a visible change. He walked back to his mark with purpose, unfazed by a couple of big shots, and continued to trust his skills. According to Sunil Gavaskar, that mental strength is crucial for a bowler who operates in formats where conceding runs is inevitable. What matters is the belief that the next over can still bring wickets and Varun Chakaravarthy showed exactly that mindset.
The former opener also described Varun Chakaravarthy as someone with rare talent, capable of producing deliveries that can surprise even well-set batters. With confidence and self-belief, Sunil Gavaskar believes he can be effective not just in T20 cricket but in longer white-ball formats as well.
Beyond Varun Chakaravarthy’s performance, Sunil Gavaskar was pleased with India’s overall display in the series opener. He called it an encouraging start, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching. India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive knock, supported well by Rinku Singh, which helped the team post an imposing total. The bowlers then backed it up with timely breakthroughs to keep New Zealand in check.
While there were a few minor lapses in the field, Sunil Gavaskar felt the positives far outweighed the negatives. Starting a new campaign with a win always builds confidence and India managed to do just that. The focus now shifts to Raipur, where the second T20I promises another exciting contest and a chance for India to build further momentum.
