\u201cYeah, I\u2019m very excited because I know it\u2019s going to be a good game. They are very well prepared and we are also well prepared, so I\u2019m really looking forward to a great contest,\u201d Chakaravarthy said while speaking to the broadcasters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on past encounters, he highlighted lessons from India\u2019s previous series against England but stressed the importance of adapting to the current game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYeah, there were a few points that I took from that series (against England last year), but I\u2019ve also focused a lot on how they are playing now. The way they were playing back then and the way they are playing now is quite different. So I\u2019ve taken a few lessons from the last time, but I\u2019ve also studied their current approach,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chakaravarthy, known for his mystery spin, described his unique approach to evaluating performance, which relies more on his execution than conventional stats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine. I don\u2019t really look at the results. If you ask me how I process my performance, I just look at the pitch map after the match. If the ball is landing where I want it to, then I\u2019m happy. I don\u2019t really focus on how many runs I\u2019ve conceded or how many wickets I\u2019ve taken. Even wickets or runs don\u2019t matter that much to me, I just look at the pitch map,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He recalled a challenging start to his career, illustrating his philosophy of adaptation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m being honest, in the first match I played in the IPL, I was hit for 24 runs in my first over. So you could say the mystery was decoded in the very first over I ever bowled (when asked how will he adapt when his mystery is decoded). After that, it\u2019s just about adapting to the situation. It\u2019s been about eight years since then, and that\u2019s been the key,\u201d Varun added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On facing England\u2019s dangerous opener, Chakaravarthy remained calm and methodical as he said, \u201cHe\u2019s a quality batsman (Brook), but I\u2019ve prepared well for every batsman. Let\u2019s see how it goes. I think the team that bowls well and hits the right lengths will have the advantage. But I believe we\u2019ve prepared well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m being honest, in the first match I played in the IPL, I was hit for 24 runs in my first over. So you could say the mystery was decoded in the very first over I ever bowled (when asked how will he adapt when his mystery is decoded). After that, it\u2019s just about adapting to the situation. It\u2019s been about eight years since then, and that\u2019s been the key,\u201d Varun added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In what is a high-stakes game for both sides, England won the toss and elected to bowl first. India suffered an early blow as opener Abhishek Sharma fell to Will Jacks in the second over, but his opening partner, Sanju Samson, and top-order batter Ishan Kishan did not let that setback affect their momentum, as the Men in Blue raced to 67\/1 in the powerplay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n