Brad Hogg Unimpressed With Rahul Tewatia And Varun Chakravarthy For Failing Fitness Tests Ahead Of England T20s

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has expressed his unhappiness with Rahul Tewatia and Varun Chakravarthy – both of who could not pass fitness tests ahead of the five-match T20I series against England. Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Tewatia earned call-ups for the shortest format based on their impressive IPL performances in 2020; however, both of them reportedly one of the fitness tests. Brad Hogg doubted their dedication to play international cricket.

The last few years have seen Indian cricket setting high levels of fitness standards for their players, with the Indian captain Virat Kohli leading the way for the same. Ahead of the opening game, Kohli conceded that the national team does not compromise on fitness levels. Varun Chakravarthy, featuring for the Kolkata Knight Riders, was the sole bowler in IPL 2020 to take a fifer and ended with 17 wickets in 13 matches. On the other hand, Rahul Tewatia starred with both bat and ball for the Rajasthan Royals, playing as a game-changer. Chakrvarthy had already been included for the T20I leg in Australia; however, he missed it due to a shoulder injury.

Brad Hogg reminded that the standards of fitness have been there for quite some time now; thus, the players must know what to expect. The Western Australian underlined that rookie cricketers cannot let their opportunities slip this way and have to grab it with both hands. Brad Hogg predicts that since these two players have not exemplified the required level of fitness, they do not have the dedication to play international cricket.

“The standards of fitness for India have been there for a couple of years now. All players around India know what to expect. The goal post hasn’t changed. You’ve got to take your opportunity when it comes, and when it comes, you can’t be left out like this. So, these two particular players, because they haven’t shown up with the fitness standards of India, it shows that they don’t have the dedication of what it takes to play international cricket,” Hogg said in his Youtube channel.

This could be their last opportunity: Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg sensitised the youngsters out there that whatever you do in life, one must commit to the required standards in the first hour or day of work. As for Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Tewatia, the 50-year old feels that since they have not been up to the mark in the opening hour of work, it could be their last opportunity.

“This could be their last opportunity. So youngsters out there, no matter what you’re doing in life, make sure if you’re going for an opportunity – work, cricket, or any other sport – you know what the standards are expected of you when you show up for that first hour of work. And these two particular players haven’t shown up in the first hour of work in prime condition and this could be their last opportunity,” he added.

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