We have to accept that this IPL is different: Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy and Kolkata Knight Riders didn’t have a great last game, allowing Punjab Kings to chase down a target of 262 in just 18.3 overs. However, the surface used for the game against Delhi Capitals on April 29 (Monday) had some assistance for spinners and Chakaravarthy made the most of it.

The spinner returned with figures of 3/16 and helped Kolkata restrict DC to a below-par total of 153, which they chased down in only 16.3 overs. After being slammed for 46 runs in his three overs against PBKS, Chakaravarthy bounced back against the Capitals and registered his best bowling figures this season. 

"The last two matches before this, we didn't defend that well. Because the wickets have become very placid in the second innings and definitely the fact that we got to bowl in the first innings was good. The pitch was also a little helpful,” said Chakaravarthy after KKR’s sixth win of the season.

"The other pitches have also been slow but this pitch was a little bit more turning. That was the difference. The length is basically the same for all the matches. It's just how the wicket behaves. In other matches, it was not giving this much help but this wicket gave and helped our bowlers."

Talking about the Punjab game, the spinner said: “The last match was a very hard pill to swallow. We had many conversations with the management, we spoke with the coaches Carl Crowe, Bharat Arun sir, Gambhir, Chandrakant sir, Abhishek Nair; everyone chipped in. 

“We came up with many tactics. Even Shah Rukh bhai, he came up to us yesterday and spoke to me lot about... (he said) 'don't take it personally, whatever is happening this IPL is just going at a crazy rate, just don't self doubt yourself'. It was a good performance from my side also and the last game was helpful."

Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine gave nothing away in the middle overs, but it was the pace attack that set the game for KKR in the powerplay. Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana took the first four wickets and reduced DC to 68/4.

"So that has been the trend and if you see Eden Gardens, everyone wants to post big totals and they have a positive intent. I can't say that it's wrong but I feel our bowlers in the powerplay, they bowled brilliantly. like how Starc and Vaibhav bowled. So we have to give it to our bowlers this time," said Chakaravarthy.

"If they would have scored 190 or 200... I felt it was around 185 to 190 pitch; if they had scored that anything could have happened."

Chakaravarthy also spoke about the Impact Player rule and how it’s helping teams post big totals. "I feel like I have been doing my processes well only but if you see the results, last match and before that, it was not out there. We have to accept that this IPL is different and we have to mentally accept the challenge.

"Last year the Impact Player rule was also there. The main thing is that teams have now understood how to better use the impact player this season. So they all know that there is extra batting and they want to charge from the first ball. And that's how it's going. However much the bowlers cry, that's how it is. We have to take up the challenge. You can't change the side of the ground or you can't change anything."

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