Varun Aaron

Varun Aaron is a talent Indian fast bowler, who is known for his lightening quick deliveries. He is a right hand batsman and a right arm fast bowler. He is regarded as the fastest of current Indian bowlers.

Table of Contents

1.  Career
2. Background

Career

Domestic Career

Varun Aaron joined MRF Pace Foundation as a 15-year old after he impressed with his pace and skill as a scout. He made his domestic debut in the 2008-09 Ranji season. Aaron had an impressive 2010-11 Ranji Trophy season. Aaron claimed 13 wickets in the 2010-11 Ranji Trophy and his fastest bowling speed there was 153.4 km/hr. In September 2014, he was signed by the Durham County Cricket Club for the 2014 County Championship. In October 2018, he was named in India B's squad for the 2018–19 Deodhar Trophy. He picked up 10 wickets from eight matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019-20.

IPL Career

Aaron’s IPL career has been stop-start much like his international career. His ability to take wickets also comes with a cost of leaking runs. He has played for a number of franchises. Initially, he was a part of Kolkata Knight Riders squad. But his IPL debut came in 2011 for Delhi Daredevils. He had a decent 2011 Indian Premier League for Delhi Daredevils. He has also played for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He took 16 wickets in 10 matches in 2014 IPL for RCB. However, injuries and some indifferent form meant that he was again let go by another franchise. Despite his base price of INR 30 Lakh, King’s XI Punjab bought him for INR 2.8 Crore at the 2017 IPL auctions. Varun Aaron joined Rajasthan Royals in the 12th season of the IPL and has been retained for the IPL 2020.

International Career

ODI Career

Aaron made his ODI debut against England in Mumbai in 2011. He bamboozled the opposition with his steaming pace and ended with impressive figures of 3/24. Aaron’s performances for India has been mediocre to say the least. Inability of Aaron to shine in national colours is mainly attributed to lack of technical depth. On 25 January 2014, Aaron made his international comeback after 2 years, having previously suffered from a back injury. He returned figures of 1/52. His lack of variations allow the batsmen to utilise his raw pace in subcontinent conditions. It was exposed especially in 2014 Asia Cup match against Bangladesh where he returned with abysmal figures of 7.5-0-74-1.  In a match against Sri Lanka, Aaron bowled a 152.5 kph delivery which is the third fastest delivery by an Indian in international level.

Test Career

Varun's Test debut came in the same year as his ODI debut against West Indies. He was selected in the Test squad for the first time in India's home series against the West Indies. On 22 November 2011 he made his Test debut in the 3rd Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. In the first innings, he took 3 wickets for 106 runs. Due to a back injury, he had a two-year hiatus from national cricket. In July 2014, Aaron was selected by India for the five-match Test series to be played in England. After being benched for the first 3 tests, Aaron appeared in the 4th Test at Old Trafford. He took 3 wickets for 97 runs. He took 2 wickets for 153 runs from 29 overs. Aaron's pace during India's tour of England in 2014 - including a sharp bouncer that broke Stuart Broad's nose - impressed county side Durham, and he was signed for the final few weeks of the season. Varun was selected for the Test series against Sri Lanka in August 2015.

Background

Aaron was spotted by a talent scout when he was 15, and since then, he has been a part of the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai. He has since his teenage, focused on the fast bowling, which led to two stress fractures of the back soon after he made his Ranji Trophy debut.