On Friday, Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI vice-president, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “It’s good to see our international players playing domestic cricket. Domestic games are as important as international game (sic).”
It is up to the BCCI to ensure that the India stars playing domestic cricket does not become a one-off – a knee-jerk reaction to the disaster Down Under. Indian cricket would be better off without tokenism, and the board’s strict parenting must continue.
When the big names announced their availability for the ongoing Ranji Trophy fixtures, there was a belief among a section of fans – mostly keyboard warriors – that it would be easy for them to find their rhythm. Stars, from Rohit Sharma to Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, being brought down to earth served as a rude awakening. Domestic cricket stalwarts will attest that it is no easy feat. Someone like Varun Chakravarthy understands the value of playing domestic tournaments.
The spinner said as much at the pre-match press conference ahead of the second T20I between India and England in Chennai on Saturday. “The level of cricket in (our) domestic (circuit) is very high, almost on a par with the IPL and international matches,” said Varun. “I would suggest everyone to go and play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy because the matches are played on small grounds and it’s very challenging (for spinners). I find it very tough playing SMAT. It has definitely helped me get better, be on my toes and think correctly (in pressure situations).”
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Varun has previously spoken about how playing domestic cricket, and even the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), contributed to his transformation from relying on side-spin to becoming a bowler who primarily depends on over-spin.
Maybe, without Gautam Gambhir becoming India’s head coach, Varun’s international comeback, after a three-year hiatus, might not have happened. Having worked together at Kolkata Knight Riders, Gambhir played a crucial role in bringing the 33-year-old spinner back into the Indian fold. Since his return to international cricket in October last year, Varun has played eight T20Is, claiming 20 wickets, including a five-for, at an average of 11.70. His 3/23 in the first T20I of the ongoing series in Kolkata earned him the Player-of-the-Match award. Tomorrow, he will play on his home patch, and the Chepauk pitch might be spin-friendly as well.
“I see it as a very important day for me,” said Varun. “It’s very special.” His parents are expected to be in the smart seats.
Clarity has been key to Varun’s success, with the team management providing him with a well-defined role. “My role is to just be aggressive, be brave and keep bowling at the stumps,” he said. “GG (Gambhir) and Surya (captain Suryakumar Yadav) make sure that no external stress affects the players. They keep the external noise away.”
One of the standout features of the current Indian T20I side is its wealth of multi-skilled players – a philosophy that Gambhir strongly advocates. Varun, too, has been encouraged to improve his batting, working closely with the team’s assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar.
“I have been working on my batting for the last six to seven months,” said Varun. “I started my preparations at KKR under Abhishek Nayar, and that kind of helped me. Still, there is a lot of work to do.”
Will Shami Play?
Mohammed Shami sitting out the first T20I at Eden Gardens was an anti-climax. Will the veteran fast bowler feature in the second match at Chepauk? There is a school of thought that, rather than horses-for-courses selections, based solely pitch and conditions, Shami should be given game time with an eye on the Champions Trophy. It would be interesting to see what the team management decides.
Also Read: Ranji Trophy Day 2: Jadeja’s Ten-for Shines Amid Star Failures, Shardul’s Century Rescues Mumbai