Champions Trophy: Rohit Discusses Chakaravarthy's Approach in Nets
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Synopsis
As India prepares for the 2025 Champions Trophy against Bangladesh, captain Rohit Sharma shares insights about Varun Chakaravarthy's unique bowling style in practice sessions, emphasizing his focused approach and the importance of rhythm for key players like Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav.
Key Takeaways
- Varun Chakaravarthy limits his variations in nets.
- Shami's return is crucial for the pace attack.
- Kuldeep Yadav aims to regain form post-surgery.
- Rohit is optimistic about Chakaravarthy's performance.
- Team's success hinges on key players' form.
Dubai, Feb 19 (NationPress) As India gears up for their 2025 Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium, captain Rohit Sharma disclosed that wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy tends to limit his variety of deliveries during net sessions. Chakaravarthy made his ODI debut against England in Cuttack, where he recorded figures of 1-54. He boasts an impressive List A record, amassing 60 wickets in 24 matches with a remarkable average of 14.8.
His performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets, earned him a last-minute spot in the Champions Trophy squad, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Rohit remarked, "He doesn’t showcase too many variations during our practice sessions, often opting to bowl in a consistent manner. Perhaps he wishes to keep his variations under wraps, which is a positive approach. He possesses unique skills that he prefers to reveal at crucial moments. I fully support his decision to do this."
"He brings something distinct to the table, which is why he’s part of our squad. In the past 8-9 months, what I’ve witnessed has been incredibly impressive, prompting us to include him and evaluate his potential contributions to India on this significant platform. Now, it’s all about executing on the field," Rohit added during the pre-match press conference.
Regarding India’s pace attack, much will rely on Mohammed Shami leading the charge in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, especially with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana still acclimating to the 50-over format.
Rohit emphasized the importance of getting Shami back into action, noting, "Shami has participated in only two ODIs against England and a couple of T20Is. Our primary aim was to see him don the Indian jersey again more than anything else."
“Regardless of his wicket tally, that was not our main concern. Our goal was to have him back representing India, and he has achieved that. From what I’ve observed, he seems to be in great shape. When it comes to a bowler of Shami’s caliber, it’s all about regaining his rhythm.”
Rohit concluded by expressing his support for left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who also returned during the ODI series against England after undergoing hernia surgery, aiming to excel in the Champions Trophy—a trophy India has been striving to reclaim since 2013.
“It was crucial for him to return to the game and regain his form. Although his stats from the two matches may not reflect it, with certain players, the numbers shouldn't be scrutinized too closely. It’s about getting back into competitive play; the statistics will follow, and that’s our belief as captain and coach. Based on his preparation, he appears confident in his capabilities. If both of these players are performing well, our team looks very promising,” he concluded.
