Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav stated on Tuesday that mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has shown significant improvement since returning to international cricket. According to Yadav, Chakravarthy has become mentally stronger and now plays with a smile, suggesting a positive shift in his approach.
Chakravarthy delivered an impressive performance with figures of 5/42 in India’s dominant win against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. This victory secured India’s position at the top of their group, advancing them to the tournament’s semifinals. “The Varun Chakravarthy of 2021 and the Varun Chakravarthy we see now are very different,” Suryakumar Yadav, brand ambassador for Moha, told reporters at an event.
Yadav elaborated, “He has developed mental resilience, yet he maintains a positive attitude, taking both successes and setbacks in stride. This is a very valuable quality for a cricketer.” Chakravarthy’s inclusion in the team, after missing the initial two group matches, proved to be a strategic decision.
“I am genuinely happy for him. He deserves all the success and recognition he is receiving for his efforts,” Suryakumar added.
“Since 2021, he has been an incredibly dedicated athlete. I have been observing him closely and have had numerous conversations with him since his return to international cricket.” Suryakumar emphasized the importance of selecting players based on specific skills, even in the current trend of prioritizing all-rounders in the shortest format of cricket.
“Ultimately, it comes down to your skill set and what unique abilities you bring to the team. If selecting a player with specific skills benefits the team’s overall strategy, that’s the priority.” Suryakumar also addressed the topic of leadership within the Mumbai Indians IPL team, stating that there would be no issues despite having multiple national captains in the squad.
“When we are together in the team environment, it feels like a family. We don’t focus on who is a captain or not. We see ourselves as a unified team,” he explained.
“It’s like a learning institution where we have all grown and developed, eventually earning the opportunity to represent India. We operate as a cohesive unit in the dressing room,” he further commented.
While Hardik Pandya leads Mumbai Indians, the team also includes Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, who has previously captained India in Test matches.
“Yes, there are several captains in our team, but when we come together, whether it’s five, seven, or ten of us, we collectively decide the best course of action for the team.” Suryakumar, 34, expressed his intention to continue playing in all formats of cricket for the time being.
“I began my cricket journey with red ball cricket. Gradually, I transitioned to white ball formats, and then to ODIs and T20Is,” he said.
“It’s important for me to play all formats because I genuinely enjoy the sport. I am passionate about playing cricket, and I focus on one format at a time,” he concluded.
