'He was too predictable’ - Ramiz Raja on Varun Chakravarthy's bowling in SL T20Is

The Indian team had to face a blow during the second match of the T20I series against Sri Lanka after Krunal Pandya tested positive. The eight players who were in close contact with him also had to undergo isolation for precautionary measures. Owing to that, four debutants walked the field for India as the team had to make as many as seven changes in the XI. Ramiz Raja opened up on the bowling performances of the Indian team in the series.

India could post the total of just 81 runs on the board in the third T20I and certainly couldn’t defend it. Ramiz Raja, however, appreciated the bowling of Rahul Chahar who scalped three wickets. In the first T20I, Varun Chakravarthy put up a decent show with the ball and was quite economical. But the former Pakistan cricketer Raja feels that he needs to bring more variations to his bowling as he got predictable.

“If you look at the bowling, Rahul Chahar was the best of the lot but Varun Chakravarthy will need to bring in more variety, he bowled at the same pace throughout. On this pitch, he could have bowled with more flight and pace at times. He was too predictable,” Raja said speaking in his latest YouTube video.

The Indian batsmen did not play spin well, which is definitely a matter of worry: Ramiz Raja

In the second and third T20Is, India had the alternative of playing only five batters but went on to play both games. Raja appreciated the sportsmanship of India and asserted that the team made a good decision by not aborting the series. He further stated that though the side had talent and potential, it lacked experience which caused concern for them. He also put up his thoughts on the batting display of the team. He highlighted that the Indian batters struggled against the spin and that it is a worry.

“When you are inexperienced, you have no reference point when you get stuck since you haven’t been in that situation before. That is why Team India struggled. The Indian batsmen did not play spin well, which is definitely a matter of worry. Generally, they bat very well against spinners. This time though they did not use their feet and credit to Sri Lankan bowlers for not allowing them to do so,” Raja said.