'Helped me be more instinctive... think correctly at the right moment': Varun Chakravarthy wants players to play SMAT, puts it at par with IPL

'Helped me be more instinctive... think correctly at the right moment': Varun Chakravarthy wants players to play SMAT, puts it at par with IPL
India's Varun Chakravarthy (L) delivers a ball during the first T20I at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22, 2025.

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Varun Chakravarthy was named 'Player of the match' in first T20I.

Chakravarthy is happy with the responsibility to bowl in the middle overs.

Chakravarthy said that the conditions in SMAT are very challenging.

India's most successful spinner in the first T20I against England, Varun Chakravarthy has credited domestic cricket for his comeback to international cricket. Chakravarthy feels that India's international cricketers should play Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 (SMAT) tournament as its level is almost par with the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

“Definitely the level of cricket in domestic cricket is very high. I would say almost on par with IPL and the other international matches we play,” Chakravarthy said ahead of the second T20I against England. 

 

 

“I would really suggest everyone to play SMAT because we play on small grounds and it is very challenging and even I find it very tough. So it has definitely helped me be more instinctive and to be on my toes and think correctly at the right moment,” the 33-year-old spinner added.

 

 

Since his return to the T20I side after nearly three years, he has taken 20 wickets from eight games including a five-wicket haul against South Africa. He has remained wicketless only once in these eight matches. 

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First T20I at home

Chakravarthy will play at his home ground for the first time in international cricket. He said it will be special for him to play in front of his parents.

“Back in Chennai and in Blues is very important for me. Playing for my country in front of my parents and the home crowd. It is very special for me,” he said.

 

 

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Chakravarthy thanks coach and captain

In the series opener, Chakravarthy was adjudged 'Player of the match' for taking three wickets for 23 runs from his quota of four overs. His wickets were Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone and captain Jos Buttler. On being said whether he feels pressure as he bowls in the middle overs, he lauded the head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav.

No, nothing as specific. My role is to just be aggressive and be brave and keep bowling at the stumps. That has been my role. There is no added responsibility. GG (Gautam Gambhir) and Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) make sure that there is no external stress on the players. They keep the external noise away,” he added.