Feels surreal, says Varun Chakravarthy on his surprise India call-up

"It feels surreal," said architect-turned-mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy after he got a maiden India call-up for T20 series in Australia following his exploits for Kolkata in ongoing IPL.

29-year-old, who only started taking his spin bowling seriously in 2018, said he was t expecting to be picked in national team. He has played only 12 T20s and featured in a lone First-Class game.

"After match got over I got to kw (of my selection into Indian team). I keep using same word again and again, it feels surreal," he told BCCI.tv after game against Kings XI Punjab on Monday night.

"My basic goal was to play in team regularly and perform and contribute to ir wins. Hopefully I'll be able to do same for India. I am t very active on social media and I have to thank selectors for keeping ir faith in me. I don't really have words."

Varun took a five-wicket haul against Delhi earlier in competition, forcing national selectors to take tice.

"I pretty much started my spin bowling in 2018, that's when I got my breakthrough in TNPL, it's been high and lows - last year, I didn't get many chances and I injured myself, I'm grateful for making a comeback this year," he said.

"I have been working hard, but motivation and faith has come from a lot of people around me," Varun h said at post-match presentation after game against Delhi.

"Around 2015, when I was t making a lot of money ( switch from being an architect to becoming a cricketer), was freelancing and wasn't able to meet my needs, I thought I would do something different, that's when I turned to cricket.

"I still do it, I like that as well (being an architect)," he h said.