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'I work extra hard to make sure I am bowling quick'
'I am happy bowling fast and it is something you can't train to do, it is in built in you,' speedster Varun Aaron tells Rediff.com's Harish Kotian.
Fast bowlers are rare in India and when Varun Aaron arrived on the scene in 2011, he was quickly fast tracked into the national team after impressing everyone in domestic cricket.
He was soon laid low with injuries.
After a frustrating wait of nearly two-and-a-half years on the sidelines where he had to overcome back injuries, the Jharkhand speedster is back.
The 24 year old was picked in the Indian team for the New Zealand ODI series where he played in the last three games and bowled really quick; even touching the 150 kph mark a few times.
Though he picked up only four wickets in New Zealand, it was heartening for Indian fans to see a quick bowler in their ranks with the ability to make batsmen jump and hop.
Aaron is now eyeing a place in the Indian Test squad. He will get an opportunity to stake a claim when he turns out for Rest of India against Ranji Trophy champions Karnataka next week in Bangalore.
Aaron promises Rediff.com's Harish Kotian that his pace will never drop.
Are you happy with your performance in New Zealand?
No, I am not very happy with my performance.
I feel I could have done better than what I did in New Zealand.
I feel I should have contributed in a better way for the team.
I am not entirely happy with my bowling, but there are a lot of positives to take out of it.
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'I work extra hard to make sure I am bowling quick'
You made it back to the Indian team after two years. How difficult was it being out of the team?
It was very difficult, but I was lucky to have the right people to help me.
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) really backed me a lot during my injury and during my prolonged rehab at the NCA (National Cricket Academy). I am really greatful to them.
You made slight adjustments to your action after your injury last year. Has it helped?
It has definitely helped. I am still bowling at the pace which I was bowling when I left the team which I am really happy about.
I bowled a couple of 150kph (deliveries) in the last ODI and my speed was really up there.
That is something which has really helped me maintain which I was doing before I left the team.
What changes have you made to your bowling action?
I opened my backfoot a little bit. It used to point towards first slip and the 'keeper and now it is more towards fine leg and leg slip.
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'I work extra hard to make sure I am bowling quick'
Are you paying more attention to being injury free?
I always put a stress on fitness.
The injuries I have had were not related to fitness. It was more to do with my action and the load I was putting on my body.
Since I am 24 and my body is more mature, I feel it is taking the load better.
So you will never comprise on pace despite all the injuries?
If I haven't till now, then I guess I won't.
If you have the talent, then you should maximise it and do the best you can.
I am happy bowling fast and it is something you can't train to do, it is in built in you.
I make sure I work extra hard to make sure I am bowling quick.
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'I work extra hard to make sure I am bowling quick'
You played in the Ranji Trophy before going to New Zealand. You bowled well and fast. Did the performance against Mumbai when you took six wickets boost your confidence?
More than anything, I could prove to myself that I could bowl a lot of overs without getting injured which was my basic aim in the Ranji Trophy season.
You have been picked for the Rest of India squad. How big will that game be in terms of getting back into the Test team?
The Rest of India game will be very important and I am looking forward to it.
Test cricket has always been my dream and that is the case, I believe, for every cricketer in India.
You must have been disappointed to have missed the IPL last year.
The bigger disappointment was not playing for the country. At the end of the day, the IPL is an excellent tournament and I am looking forward to play this year.