Pakistan has made history by registering a convincing win over India in their series opener of ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Despite Virat Kohli’s fifty, they could manage 151/7, which Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan successfully chased down with 2.1 overs in hand. While they both scored unbeaten half-centuries, It was India spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who impressed former India pacer Ashish Nehra a lot.
While speaking to Cricbuzz, Nehra said: “Yes, Pakistan won by 10 wickets, but I would pick one bowler, and this is the effect of the IPL, and that is Varun Chakravarthy. Playing his first game against Pakistan, in the World Cup, it’s not easy. But the way he started is praiseworthy. The few deliveries that he got hit for sixes were some great strokes by the batters. But the bowling that we saw from him in the IPL and against Sri Lanka, he is just taking that forward.”
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However, Varun Chakravarthy started his spell brilliantly, conceding only two runs in his first over in the Powerplay. But he failed to maintain that and eventually gave away 33 runs in his four overs. But, Nehra said that he did well and he was not affected by the pressure of the match as well.
“Sometimes you are playing against Pakistan, it is a World Cup match, so you can come under pressure and stray with your bowling, but that did not happen at all. The rest of the bowlers are experienced internationals. So I would say Varun Chakravarthy was a big plus for India, and going forward, when there isn’t too much dew, he can be India’s X-factor,” he further added.
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On the other hand, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag disagreed with Nehra. He felt that, as an X-factor bowler, Chakravarthy should have taken wickets, even if he was given runs.
“The expectations I had from Varun Chakravarthy, he didn’t bowl at that level. Because as an X-factor, he has to take wickets. I don’t mind if he is expensive. Even if he gave 40 runs but took two wickets, that is more important. You become an X-factor bowler if you take wickets. Because even if you keep bowling economical spells, if you don’t take wickets, it will be difficult to beat the opposition,” Sehwag added.
