IND vs NZ 2026: ‘Varun Chakaravarthy is a magician, was unfazed after getting hit for sixes in 1st T20I’ – Former India captain

Sunil Gavaskar was impressed by Varun Chakaravarthy’s body language even after being hit for boundaries during the first T20I between India and New Zealand at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 22.

New Zealand were chasing a daunting target of 239 on a belter of a track. Glenn Phillips took the attack to the Indian bowlers, while the likes of Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell also joined in. Chakaravarthy was taken for runs, but he still managed to finish with figures of 2/37 in four overs.

Gavaskar hailed Chakaravarthy, calling him a magician. The former India captain was particularly impressed by the mystery spinner’s calmness when he was being attacked.

“Varun looked a little rusty, but that’s understandable. He picked up two wickets and the economy rate, when the batters are going hell-bent for leather, was pretty decent as well. The important thing is that his body language was good. Often, you know, his body language, sometimes when he’s taken for a few runs, can be a little bit down,” Gavaskar said on JioStar.

“That didn’t happen. He was walking back to the mark, upright, wasn’t looking fazed by the fact that he’d been hit for a couple of sixes, and that’s always a very good sign. That’s a very encouraging sign from a player who sometimes gives the impression of not having enough confidence and belief in his ability. He’s a magician, make no mistake. He bowls brilliantly. So yes, in this format or even in the 50-over format, which will be expensive, he just has to believe, ‘Yes, next over I’m going to get my two wickets,’ and that’s what he does,” he added.

In the end, India restricted New Zealand to 190/7 in 20 overs. As a result of the comprehensive performance, the Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second T20I will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday, January 23.