Varun Aaron burst onto the cricketing scene with a blend of promise and potential that few could match. His introduction to international cricket came in 2011 when he made his One Day International (ODI) debut against England, followed by his Test debut against the West Indies later that year. Known for his ability to bowl consistently at speeds over 150 km/h, Aaron quickly became a topic of excitement, drawing comparisons to some of India’s great fast bowlers. His performance in the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy final, where he clocked an impressive 153 km/h, was a testament to his ability and set the stage for his international career.
Despite the early accolades, Aaron’s career was unfortunately defined by a series of injuries. Stress fractures in his back became a recurring theme, limiting his appearances on the international stage. Over the course of his career, he suffered eight back stress fractures, alongside other injuries that kept him out of the game for significant periods. His last appearance for India was in November 2015 against South Africa, ending an international stint that saw him play nine Tests and nine ODIs, where he managed to take 29 wickets across both formats.
Varun Aaron’s contributions weren’t limited to international cricket; he was a stalwart in domestic cricket, representing Jharkhand in various domestic tournaments. His domestic career saw him take 173 wickets in first-class cricket, 141 in List A, and 93 in T20s. His involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) further showcased his talent, playing for teams like Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and finally, Gujarat Titans, with whom he clinched the IPL title in 2022. His IPL journey was one of both highs and lows, where injuries often played spoilsport, but his speed was always a spectacle.