New Delhi: Arguably the quickest bowler in the domestic circuit, Varun Aaron said that he will never compromise on pace for anything after being picked in the Indian team for the five-match one-day series and lone T20 against England.
Aaron, picked in place of an injured Ishant Sharma, hit the headlines when he clocked 153-kph during the final of the Vijay Hazare trophy against Gujarat. He is the third Jharkhand cricketer after Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Saurabh Tiwary in recent times to have made it to the senior side.
"As long I am fit and my body is supporting me, I will continue to bowl quick and will not compromise on pace," he told PTI moments after his selection.
Indian bowlers, from Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel to Rudra Pratap Singh, have a history of cutting down on speed after starting as tearaway pacers mainly due to fitness issues, but Aaron does not want to tread that line.
"I feel the perception differs from person to person. As long as my body supports, pace is going to be my forte," the bowler reiterated.
Aaron bagged 10 wickets in three games in the three-day leg of the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia recently, to go with his 13 wickets for Jharkhand in the last Ranji season and another nine in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also had a five-for in Deodhar Trophy for East Zone.
Despite his impressive performances in the recent past, Aaron was not sure of national call-up, but is now excited at the prospect of bowling in English conditions.
"The weather is lovely there and it always helps in swinging the ball. It feels good. I had a good tour of Australia but frankly speaking it wasn`t in my mind. For me performing well is the key as selection is not in my hands."
He also impressed in the limited opportunities he got while playing for Delhi Daredevils in the last edition of the Indian Premier League.
Such has been his progress that he has managed to catch the eye of the legendary Wasim Akram who recently spoke highly of the bowler. Akram has been following Aaron since his days with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
PTI
