R Ashwin's Shoes Are Big To Fill : Varun Chakravarthy's Take On Comparsion With Legendary Spinner
The Indian star spinner Varun Chakravarthy made a powerful comeback in the T20I series against England. When he was asked about his comparison to legendary Ravichandran Ashwin, he honestly replied by saying that he has not reached that level where he can be compared with Ashwin. In the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the Brisbane Test. The legendary spinner shocked everyone with such a sudden decision of his retirement, played his last international match in Adelaide with a pink ball, taking a wicket and scoring 29 runs.
The 33-year-old made his comeback after the T20 World Cup, and since then he is not taking a name to stop. He is turning out to be the best spinner of India, taking 20 wickets in the last T20Is at an average of 11.70. In the first T20I against England, he was the Player of the Match for his incredible performance, taking 3 wickets by giving away 24 runs. He played a crucial role in England getting bundled all on just 132 runs.
Chakravarthy, on being compared to Ashwin, said that his shoes are too big to fill and he hasn't reached a stage to get compared to him. He also said that he's not even close to it.
"Comparing him to me is big. Ashwin has played all three formats. I am just making a comeback. I haven't reached a stage where I can be compared to him. But still, everybody, when they make it to the Indian team, wants to play for a long time. I am following my process. Let the hard work take me where it can. It's better that way. I am not thinking about filling someone's shoes. Ashwin's shoes are big to fill. He has taken 500-plus Test wickets. I am not even close yet."
Further, talking about his strategy against England in the second T20I, he said that certain plans are there for certain batters and that will be pretty much the same. He also said if they do something different, then it will be more instinctive.
"Basically, you have certain plans for certain batters, and that will be pretty much that. But, if they are trying to do something different, it will be more instinctive."
The second T20I between India and England will be played on January 25, Saturday, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.