Varun Goud retains batting.
He’s not in your face, however by no means out of sight; he refuses to stroll away simply. That has been evident within the ongoing Buchi Babu Event, the place he has scored 371 runs in seven innings at a mean of 92.75.
It’s hardly a shock, although – it’s a behavior he has carried since his age-group days. Within the Vijay Service provider Beneath-16 Trophy (2015-16), he amassed 645 runs in seven innings at 107.50, and two years later, within the Cooch Behar Trophy, he was much more prolific with 880 runs in 9 innings at 110.
However while you point out his common, he waves it away. “Don’t inform me all of this, I nonetheless need to bat within the ultimate, hopefully,” Goud stated with a smile.
On Tuesday, Hyderabad was in hassle at 66 for 4 within the semifinal towards Haryana. Beneath an overcast sky, Goud walked in and stitched an important 104-run stand with Hima Teja. It wasn’t about fast runs, however time. He absorbed stress, defended when required, and rotated the strike to regular the innings. After almost two classes on the crease and with Hyderabad in management, he fell agonisingly in need of a century, dismissed for 91.
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“I missed out on 100, however the innings was very satisfying,” Goud informed Sportstar. “The workforce wanted me to remain there, and I managed to do this. After all, it might have been good to stay unbeaten with a century, however the contribution mattered extra.”
Despite the fact that he had scored an unbeaten ton within the earlier match towards Madhya Pradesh, Goud charges this knock greater. “The wicket was difficult, and once I walked in, we had misplaced fast wickets. Constructing a partnership from that place was very satisfying.”
For somebody who scored closely in age-group and native cricket, Goud needed to wait his flip within the longer format. “I assumed runs in age-group cricket would make it simpler, nevertheless it didn’t occur like I anticipated. Finally, I received my likelihood final yr,” he stated.
He made his First-Class debut towards Himachal Pradesh within the 2024-25 season, scoring 36. “It was nothing large, however impactful due to the state of affairs. That gave me confidence and a great begin,” the 25-year-old recalled.
Till then, Goud was seen extra as a limited-overs participant. He made his Checklist-A debut in 2023 and introduced himself with a century — 109 off 82 balls, whereas serving to Hyderabad chase down 321 towards Karnataka. However adjusting to red-ball cricket has taken time.
“Shifting from white ball to crimson ball does take a little bit adjustment. Pink-ball cricket checks your character and temperament. In white ball, the sport retains altering rapidly, however in crimson ball, the conditions are usually related for lengthy durations. It’s about being affected person, not dashing or panicking below stress. That’s the primary distinction I’ve felt,” he defined.
It’s an strategy formed as a lot by his friends as by expertise. Throughout his time with Jolly Rovers membership within the 2022 season, Goud recalled a dialog with teammate Sai Sudharsan: “He informed me there’s nothing gifted or pure. No matter it’s, you study by apply. Should you maintain experiencing conditions in coaching, then in a match, it simply turns into one other state of affairs you already know learn how to deal with. Any skillset may be achieved by conscious, constant apply.”
Lots of his studying, he says, has additionally come from his conversations with the previous fielding coach of India, R. Sridhar, whom he calls his “go-to particular person.” “He’s empathetic, understands the place you’re coming from, and each chat with him is productive. Even earlier than this match and after scoring runs, I spoke with him. He all the time jogs my memory to remain within the current – it’s not about fifties or tons of, it’s about what’s subsequent and learn how to adapt.”
For Goud, the instant aim is evident: to be in Hyderabad’s Ranji Trophy squad this season and make a mark in red-ball cricket. And the Buchi Babu Event has given him “an excellent preparation for the season.”
Revealed on Sep 02, 2025