"He has dismissed Heinrich Klaasen twice in 2 games" - Aakash Chopra lauds Varun Chakaravarthy's spell in IND vs SA 2024 2nd T20I

Aakash Chopra has lauded Varun Chakaravarthy for bowling a potent spell in the second T20I between India and South Africa in Gqeberha on Sunday, November 10. He pointed out that the mystery spinner has dismissed Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, two of South Africa's most accomplished batters, in back-to-back games.

India set South Africa a 125-run target after being asked to bat first. Chakaravarthy then registered figures of 5/17 in four overs but couldn't stop the hosts from registering a three-wicket win and drawing level in the four-match series.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener praised Chakaravarthy for bowling a 'sensational' spell, including dismissing Klaasen and Miller for the second successive game.

"He was absolutely sensational - five wickets. He has dismissed Heinrich Klaasen twice in two games. He has dismissed David Miller twice in two games. He hit (Aiden) Markram's stumps. He bowls googlies and at the stumps. He is absolutely outstanding," he said (10:40).

Chopra noted that Chakaravarthy was more successful than Ravi Bishnoi (1/21) because of his pace variations.

"He is bowling slow in the air. It's the antithesis of what spinners usually do in international cricket, especially in the T20 format. Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal) bowls slow and Varun Chakaravarthy also does that. He also finishes the ball within the three stumps with subtle variations," he explained (9:45).

"He bowls a sort of leg-cutter and a googly. He bowls only two kinds of balls but bowls with accuracy. He doesn't bowl too short or too full, and then the change of pace. Ravi Bishnoi also keeps the ball within the three stumps but he is very fast in the air. People are able to play the bowlers who bowl fast these days because they are used to that," Chopra added.

Chopra noted that Chakaravarthy was unfortunate that India lost the game despite his terrific spell. He added that the Tamil Nadu spinner was his Player of the Match.

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"It's absolutely imperative that we acknowledge the IPL's contribution" - Aakash Chopra on Varun Chakaravarthy's comeback

Varun Chakaravarthy has excelled for KKR in the last few seasons of the IPL. [P/C: iplt20.com]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra credited the Indian Premier League and the Kolkata Knight Riders for Varun Chakaravarthy's resurgence.

"What is Varun Chakaravarthy doing well? That's the big question, as to what has changed. It's clear that there is a difference. One thing is the confidence he has got after doing well consistently and here it's absolutely imperative that we acknowledge the IPL's contribution," he said (8:45).

"Even your first-class team doesn't play you at times if you are of his age. They don't play you in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy also as they prefer giving a chance to a youngster. However, you played for Kolkata and picked up wickets consistently, year after year, and then got a chance to play for India again," the reputed commentator added.

Chopra pointed out that Chakaravarthy also started his cricketing career very late as he was working as an architect. He added that it takes time for a fruit to ripen and it seems like that period has elapsed.