NEW DELHI: After the decisive victory, opener Abhishek Sharma, who was instrumental in India’s seven-wicket victory over England in the opening match of the Twenty20 series, decided to give mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy more credit, claiming that he has changed the game for the side ever since his return.
Following the powerplay, England was cruising at over nine runs per over until Chakravarthy, an IPL player for the Kolkata Knight Riders, changed the tide of the match with a pivotal over.
He turned the tide in India’s favor by dismissing Liam Livingstone and Harry Brook in three deliveries. Then, taking advantage of those breakthroughs, the other bowlers bowled England out for 132, a target that India reached in just 12.5 overs.
“If you look at the last few series, Varun has been our game-changer. In T20 cricket, where good batting conditions are common, having a bowler you can rely on is crucial.
“Opponents find it difficult to pick him, and even our other spinners, Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel, have been equally effective,” Sharma said in the post-match media interaction in Kolkata.
Sharma gave captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir credit for allowing him to play his natural style, as he hit a scorching 79 off 34 balls at the top.
“Obviously as a batsman, it comes to your mind when 3-4-5 innings don’t go well, but the coach and the captain managed all the players, even though I didn’t do well, but still they said we know you are going to win the game for us, any game, and just go and express yourself,” Sharma said.
“When a captain or a coach says something like this, obviously there is a bit of confidence and you ‘ve to back yourself up.
“I always thought that when captain Surya paaji or Gautam paaji always told me that the way you intend to play, we’re going to back you, I think that’s a big moment for me. I felt that the team is showing so much confidence in me, and I should just continue it.”
When asked to describe his fearless style, Sharma credited his time with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
“At SRH, I was fortunate to have a supportive environment where the coaches and senior players encouraged us to express ourselves. I carried that approach into the IPL and now in the Indian team, where the message has always been to go out and play with freedom.”
Sharma also discussed how his batting has been influenced by mentors like Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Brian Lara, and Daniel Vettori.
“They all just want me to showcase my talent the way I play, and just back myself.”
Sharma gave credit to his training program for his daring aerial shots.
“Before any tournament, I focus on facing bowlers who replicate match scenarios. Kotzi sir (batting coach Sitanshu Kotak) and Nayar bhai (Abhishek Nayar) have been instrumental in ensuring I get similar bowlers at practice as it helps me stay prepared.”
On shot selection, he said: “It’s very simple for me, I just watch the ball and react, and that’s been the plan for me, and for Sanju (Samson) bhai as well, we just want to go and watch the ball and express ourselves and just play our shots.”
