Ahmedabad, 19 December (H.S.): India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has been in outstanding form during the ongoing T20 International series against South Africa, said he deliberately puts himself under pressure as part of his preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With six wickets in three matches, Chakravarthy has emerged as India’s most successful bowler in the series and heads into the fifth and final T20 in Ahmedabad with growing confidence.

India currently lead the five‑match series 2–1 after the fourth T20 was abandoned due to heavy fog without a ball being bowled. The final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium offers India a chance to seal the series 3–1, while South Africa will aim to level it 2–2. The contest features two of the world’s top T20 sides, both fine‑tuning their squads for the global tournament next year.

Speaking to GeoStar, Chakravarthy emphasized the importance of trusting his core bowling principles, learning from early international experiences, and challenging himself mentally even in seemingly straightforward situations. He said his recent success stems largely from confidence and the right mindset.

“My plan is very simple—to stick to the basics and bowl at the right length,” Chakravarthy explained. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but fortunately it’s clicked for me in the last three matches. I’ll continue with the same approach in the next game. At this level, everything depends on your mindset and skills—when your confidence drops, your mindset starts affecting your execution.”

Highlighting the value of self-belief, he added:“The most important thing is to stay confident and trust your abilities. When you do that, you can execute your plans without making unnecessary changes. Consistency is the key. Playing regularly at the international level gives you a clear idea of where you stand. I struggled a bit early in my career, but I learned from those experiences and worked hard in training to improve.”

Explaining why he subjects himself to mental pressure, the spinner said it was crucial for World Cup preparation.“Putting yourself under pressure, even when there isn’t a big challenge, is essential,” Chakravarthy noted.

“If a match seems easy, I still create pressure situations mentally to test myself. Confidence, hitting the right length, and understanding the opposition are vital—I want to carry these qualities into the World Cup. Once I read the opposition well, I believe I can perform at my best.”

The final T20 in Ahmedabad gives Chakravarthy another chance to fine‑tune his craft and help India finish the South Africa series on a winning note, rounding off an impressive personal and team performance ahead of next year’s global showpiece.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar