India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has praised the country’s domestic cricket system, particularly the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), calling it “almost on par” with the IPL and international cricket.
Speaking ahead of the second T20I against England in Chennai, Varun highlighted the high level of competition in domestic cricket, which has been instrumental in his growth as a player.
“The level of cricket in the domestic circuit is extremely high,” Varun said. “I’d say it’s almost on par with IPL and international matches. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is especially challenging, with small grounds and high-pressure games, making it a valuable experience for bowlers.”
Varun has benefited significantly from consistent domestic white-ball cricket over the past two seasons. In the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy, his first List A tournament in five years, he emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 19 scalps at an average of 13.05.
He followed it up in the most recent edition, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets in six innings at an average of 12.16. The SMAT has also tested him on small, batter-friendly grounds like Indore, where he conceded 49 runs in four overs in Tamil Nadu’s opening game against Tripura.
“I find SMAT very tough,” Varun admitted. “But it’s helped me become more instinctive and adaptable, sharpening my decision-making under pressure.”
Beyond domestic tournaments, Varun has also participated in other competitions like the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and the DY Patil tournament, further honing his skills. Returning to Chepauk, where he first rose to prominence, holds special significance for him.
“Coming back to Chennai in the blues is very special for me,” he said. “Playing for the country in front of my parents and the home crowd is an emotional moment.”
Varun also reflected on stepping into the shoes of R Ashwin, his former teammate and TNPL 2024 captain at Dindigul Dragons. Ashwin’s encouragement, including promoting Varun up the batting order, has had a lasting impact.
“It’s a big deal for me to be compared to Ashwin, but I’m not there yet. He’s played all three formats and taken 500 Test wickets. Those are big shoes to fill,” Varun said. He credited Abhishek Nayar, India’s assistant coach and his former coach at Kolkata Knight Riders, for helping him improve his batting over the past six months.
In the first T20I against England, Varun showcased his bowling prowess, taking 3 for 23, including crucial wickets of Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in the same over. With England expected to counterattack in the second T20I, Varun remains prepared.
“If they [England] go for an aggressive approach, that’s just T20 cricket. I can’t complain or be shocked. I have my plans ready,” he said.
Varun is eager to continue his journey, driven by a blend of hard work, adaptability, and inspiration from his mentors. Whether on small grounds or on the international stage, he remains focused on delivering under challenging conditions.