Varun Chakravarthy has been the star player of the Indian cricket team over the past few months, taking 31 wickets in 11 matches since his return to the T20 team. He has also been instrumental in helping India win the Champions Trophy in the ODI team, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker. Despite his impressive performance, Chakravarthy has not yet played a Test match. Recently, he revealed the major reason why he might never play Test cricket, and it’s quite an interesting insight into the mind of this talented cricketer.
The Unlikely Prospect of Test Cricket
Chakravarthy opened up about his thoughts on playing Test cricket in a podcast, stating that while he’s interested in the format, his bowling style might not be suited for it. He explained, “My bowling action is similar to that of a medium-pace bowler, and in Test cricket, you need to bowl continuously for 20-30 overs, which I don’t think I’m capable of doing. As a spin bowler who bowls at a fast pace, I can only manage to bowl 10-15 overs at most, but that’s not enough for red-ball cricket, where you need to bowl 20-30 overs a day.” This honest assessment from Chakravarthy highlights the challenges he faces in adapting to the demands of Test cricket.
From Pace to Spin
It’s worth noting that Chakravarthy wasn’t always a spin bowler. He used to be a pace bowler, but a knee injury in 2017 forced him to switch to spin bowling. Reflecting on his journey, Chakravarthy said, “If I had continued to bowl fast, my career would have stagnated. The pitches in Tamil Nadu don’t offer much swing, and spinners get more assistance, which is why not many pace bowlers emerge from the state.” This transition has undoubtedly been a blessing in disguise for Chakravarthy, as he has gone on to achieve great success as a spin bowler. However, it’s clear that he still has some doubts about his ability to succeed in the longest format of the game.
The jury is still out on whether Chakravarthy will ever don the Test jersey for India, but one thing is certain – his unique bowling style has made him a valuable asset in the shorter formats. As he continues to hone his craft and push the boundaries of what’s possible for a spin bowler, fans can’t help but wonder what the future holds for this talented cricketer. Will he eventually make his Test debut, or will he remain a limited-overs specialist? Only time will tell, but for now, Chakravarthy remains an exciting prospect in the world of Indian cricket.