India's Varun Chakravarthy put on a spectacular show with his 5-wicket haul against South Africa in the second T20I, but it was not enough as the hosts managed to break India's 11-match winning streak with their victory. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav had high praise for Chakravarthy's incredible performance, but it unfortunately came in a losing cause.
Varun Chakravarthy's Spectacular Performance Despite India's Loss to South Africa
Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy delivered a mesmerizing performance in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) against South Africa, claiming a five-wicket haul. However, India's winning streak of 11 matches came to an end as the hosts snatched victory.
Match Summary
Batting first, South Africa posted a competitive total of 150/9, with Rassie van der Dussen scoring 75 off 55 balls. In response, India struggled to gain momentum, losing early wickets.
Chakravarthy emerged as a beacon of hope for India, bowling with precision and guile. He dismissed David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, and Tabraiz Shamsi in quick succession, finishing with remarkable figures of 5/20 in his four overs.
Skipper's Praise
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged Chakravarthy's extraordinary effort despite the defeat. "Varun Chakravarthy was outstanding. He bowled exceptionally well, mixing up his pace and variations," said Yadav.
Losing Cause
Despite Chakravarthy's heroics, India's batting line-up failed to capitalize on his efforts. Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 31) and Deepak Hooda (26 off 24) made brief contributions, but India ultimately fell short by 49 runs.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Varun Chakravarthy? Varun Chakravarthy is a 31-year-old Indian cricketer who specializes in leg-spin and batting in the middle order.
2. What is his batting and bowling style? Chakravarthy bowls with a deceptive action, delivering a variety of deliveries, including leg-spin, googlies, and sliders. He is also a capable batsman, known for his ability to strike the ball cleanly.
3. How many wickets did he take in the second T20I? Chakravarthy claimed five wickets in the second T20I against South Africa, his best haul in international cricket.
4. Has he played in the Indian Premier League (IPL)? Yes, Chakravarthy has played for the Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He was a key performer for KKR in their title-winning campaign in 2021.
5. What is his current international record? As of January 2023, Chakravarthy has played 12 T20Is for India, taking 19 wickets at an average of 12.63.
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