Varun Chakaravarthy earns high praise after dismissing Travis Head in 2nd T20I vs Australia

India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two crucial wickets, including a big scalp in Travis Head, in the 2nd T20I vs Australia, drawing praise from former India cricketers.

Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Tilak Verma celebrating a wicket. Image | BCCI on X

India may have faced another challenging night in the 2nd T20I against Australia, but one man stood out amid the pressure, Varun Chakaravarthy. The mystery spinner, known for his deceptive variations, bowled with remarkable control and accuracy to restrict Australia’s run flow and claim key wickets, including that of the dangerous Travis Head. His spell was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise testing outing for India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and it once again highlighted why he’s considered one of India’s most dependable T20 specialists.

Varun Chakaravarthy’s control and composure impress experts

Varun Chakaravarthy’s spell of 2/23 in his four overs was a masterclass in tactical bowling. Despite the short boundaries and batting-friendly surface, the spinner used his variations wisely, mixing pace and length to keep Australian batters guessing. His dismissal of Travis Head, who looked well-set, came from a clever change of trajectory that forced the left-hander into a mistimed lofted shot straight to long-off.

Also read: Josh Hazlewood credits pitch conditions after Australia’s win over India in Melbourne

Former cricketers praised Chakaravarthy for his temperament under pressure. Many noted that while India’s pace bowlers struggled for consistency, Chakaravarthy’s ability to keep things tight in the middle overs shifted momentum back towards India, even if briefly. His approach, attacking with flight rather than merely defending, stood out as a positive sign for India’s T20 bowling strategy moving forward.

More importantly, his consistency has added much-needed balance to the attack. Over the past year, Chakaravarthy has emerged as a crucial weapon in India’s middle-overs plan, often breaking partnerships and restricting boundaries at critical junctures. His maturity since returning to international cricket has been evident, and performances like this only reinforce his value in big-match scenarios.

Read Also: Gill vs Jaiswal: A comparison to understand who should open for India in T20Is.

Where to watch the Australia vs India, 3rd T20I match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs India, 3rd T20I on November 2 on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

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