Injury-prone fast-bowler Varun Aaron has vowed not to compromise on pace, even if it means he has to spend lengthy time on the sidelines.
The pacer suffered a heel injury that was supposed to heal in three and half weeks but it took three and a half months. However, Aaron is unfazed by the latest setback and has vowed to continue bowling fast.
“I am blessed with a natural ability to bowl fast. Everyone can’t bowl quick. So as far as I am concerned there is no question of compromising on pace. Till the time I am playing cricket, I will be only bowling fast,” he told PTI.
The Jharkhand star, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore this year after a poor campaign last term, is optimistic of getting a franchise during the February 20 IPL auctions.
“I am optimistic that franchises will be interested in what I can bring to the table. Obviously I am looking forward to auction but before IPL, I will be playing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Jharkhand. I will be able to bowl 10 overs in a number of matches and that will certainly help me. The aim is an India comeback and every match from now on is important,” said the 27-year-old.
With India playing so many matches in the ongoing home season, a good performance in the domestic circuit would have put Aaron in contention but the injury setback quashed all his hopes.
Expressing his frustration over the injury lay-off, he said:
“It was unfortunate and frustrating. I was aiming for a good Ranji season. I felt some pain in my heel during first match against Maharashtra. But it wasn’t anything serious and as a captain I needed to play against Karnataka. I bowled 29 overs in all in that match but the pain increased.
“When initially tests were done, I was told that it is a minor injury and will take barely three and half weeks before I would be back in action. But eventually, it turned out to be worse than that and I ended up missing out on the first-class season after the first two matches,” he added.
With India’s pace bowling department now looking quite settled, Aaron will have to give an exceptional performance in the domestic games to get back into the mix, and he is ready to put up a good show to don the Indian jersey again.
“Practically speaking I would like to perform well before Champions Trophy. The communication system in the current Indian team set-up has been brilliant. In my case, I was injured, so there wasn’t much the team management could have told me. But the aim is to play for India again,” Aaron concluded.