New Delhi: India speedster Varun Aaron wants to repay the confidence captain Virat Kohli has shown in him by complimenting pace with discipline in the upcoming four-match Test series against South Africa.
Aaron, who has had a start-stop career ever since making his international debut in October 2011, has no qualms in acknowledging that time has come to deliver consistently.
“I am really looking forward to the South Africa series. I just played a Test in Sri Lanka and it was not a great outing. I just picked two wickets in that game. I have been bowling well of late (in Ranji Trophy) and had a good game against Bangladesh A. Now it is time to make amends,” Aaron told PTI ahead of the first Test beginning at Mohali on Thursday.
Though the 26-year-old has not yet convinced the selectors for one-dayers, he has been part of the Test squad in the last four series. Considering Ishant Sharma can't play the Mohali game owing to a one-match ban, the Jharkhand tearaway is likely to make the playing eleven.
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In any case, Aaron has the support of Kohli, who prefers the extra pace he possesses over mere line and length bowlers.
“Yeah, it is always nice to have the captain's support. But it is not only me, Virat has confidence in every member of the squad. It always feels good when the captain backs you and I hope I get an opportunity to repay his confidence against South Africa.”
Bowling to the likes of Hashim Amla and A B de Villiers is going to be a challenge but Aaron would rather focus on his own preparation.
“There is nothing specific I have been working on, to be honest. The focus is on getting the basics right than putting the focus on who I am going to bowl to. If I do what is in my control right, I know I would deliver for the team. Consistency is important in international cricket and that is something I have been working on constantly,” he says.
If it was not for inconsistency and recurring back injury, Aaron could have played a lot more than seven Tests and nine ODIs ever since arriving on the international scene four years ago. Now, he appears to have overcome the fitness challenge at least.
“Yes, I have managed to stay injury-free. First of all, it is because of the age factor. My bones are matured now and that is why I am not having stress fractures anymore. I have always have trained hard and I still do but the difference is now I give my body a lot more rest. That has helped me a lot.”
Does not getting opportunities in the limited overs cricket bother him? “It is something that is not in my control. My aim is to make the most of whatever matches I get. There is no format that I prefer. As long as I am playing I am happy,” Aaron signs off.
