Chakravarthy feels Rajkot pitch was slower than expected

Varun Chakravarthy feels lack of dew and sluggish track helped England bowlers defend 171 to keep series alive with two games to play

India’s in-form spinner Varun Chakravarthy feels the Rajkot pitch played slower than the team expected in the second innings, which ultimately contributed to India’s first loss in the five-match T20I series against England.

The match was expected to be a high-scoring affair but it wasn’t to be. England did rather well to post 171 for nine from 127 for eight. But India fell way short of the target, by 26 runs to be specific, as leg-spinner Adil Rashid produced a decisive bowling effort in the middle overs.

Varun Chakravarthy

“I thought the dew might set in and the ball will start skidding on. But the pitch became very slow and their cutters and their leggies started working more. While if you see in the first innings it was not that slow. So, that definitely played in their favour.

“And obviously, Adil Rashid is a legend and he knows how to bowl. He has that control over his speed,” said Chakravarthy after the game.

Rashid, who found Tilak Varma’s middle stump with a classical leg-break, got welcome support from Jamie Overton, who struck thrice at run a ball in his four overs.

It was the second time that Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul (5-24) came in a losing cause. The mystery spinner has been India’s standout bowler since his comeback last year against Bangladesh and had the England batters guessing once again.

“No, I can’t, I can’t complain because that’s the nature of the game. There have been times, even when I don’t take five wickets, we might end up losing. So, I can’t complain.

“But my job is to just keep focusing on what I can do, how I can perform for the team. And that’s all in my control,” he said.

Putting more overspin on the ball has yielded rich dividends for Chakravarthy and he is also working on perfecting the flipper. Has he attempted anything new of late?

“Nothing new, but the work doesn’t stop. As in, even if I bowl a ball, a stock ball, I need to keep working on it, keep pushing it. I need to get nine on 10 [for] consistency. That work is always there. So, right now my focus is on consistency and line and length,” said the 33-year-old tweaker from Tamil Nadu.

Chakravarthy also defended leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi who leaked 46 runs in four overs. “Bishnoi is a top-class bowler. Anyone can get hit, no one can be judged on just one match. I am sure he will make a great comeback in the next match,” added Chakravarthy.

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