Varun Aaron — the first notable fast bowler from India who could touch the 150 kmph mark consistently — is back from the wild. The speedster is set to join the India A side for the day-games against England Lions starting February 7 in Wayanad.
Injuries had paused Aaron’s international growth but he fought every challenge bravely. Ahead of the second coming for India through the A rank, he is a better bowler.
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“I am more aware of what I want to do, it comes with age. I would also like to thank the selectors for showing faith in me. I have been rewarded for my hard work,” the 29-year-old pacer told Sportstar on Monday.
Aaron, a contemporary of Umesh Yadav, made his Test and ODI debut in 2011. He played his last Test against South Africa in Bengaluru in 2015.
The gap isn’t a worry as he had avenues to get the game going in tough times. The IPL snub in 2018 took him to the English County in Leicestershire.
This year, he bagged a 2.4 crore gig with Rajasthan Royals in the cash-rich league. “I feel stronger than before mentally because I have absolutely no doubts of what I want to do,” said Aaron, who played cricket for 26 days in his 45-day stay in the UK last season. Bowling in different conditions helped him iron out his flaws and develop swing.
In his time, India never had a strong pool of fast bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and group, under coach Bharat Arun, are a different breed now.
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“The pool is great. It is a testimony to the system BCCI has in place to develop fast bowlers,” he said.
Aaron claimed 25 wickets in Ranji Trophy 2018-19 for Jharkhand and clocked in the 147 to 148 kmph range in the Deodhar Trophy last October. The pacer will join the India A side, coached by former captain Rahul Dravid, on Tuesday.
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