Yet, when he does smile in the post-match presentations as he did while accepting the Man of the Match award after a gruelling World Cup encounter against Belgium, the defender from Punjab exudes a boyish charm and gentleness that is most often shielded by an intense glare.
The infectious grin was visible yet again when Varun stood alongside Harmanpreet to accept the prize for being the highest scorer at the FIH Series Finals in Bhubaneswar after having assisted his side record an outright title triumph for the first time since winning gold in the Asia Cup a couple of years back.
Ten tournaments on the trot for Varun Kumar
Varun Kumar was part of the squad that won gold at Dhaka in October 2017 and also played his part when India and Pakistan were declared joint winners of the Asian Champions Trophy at Muscat last year.
Incredibly enough, Varun played ten tournaments on the trot since being picked by Sjoerd Marijne for the Asia Cup - a feat which none of his teammates have managed.
The Asia Cup was followed by the Hockey World League Finals in December 2017 and a jam-packed 2018 which began with the Four-Nations in New Zealand had Varun Kumar on board.
The defender went on to represent India at the Azlan Shah Cup, Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy, and the World Cup.
The ever-dependable lad from Punjab was finally rested for the Australian tour after helping his side win silver at the Azlan Shah Cup earlier this year but returned with a bang in the FIH Series Finals.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, the unassuming 24-year-old reflects on his rising prowess as a drag-flicker, gives us an insight into why the choice of PC routines and personnel are match-specific, and shares his fondness for coach Graham Reid’s man-management skills.
The drag flicks have been getting better with each passing tournament even as the sheer repertoire of the strikes confound the opposite camp like never before, but Varun is far from satisfied.
“My aim is to be able to score in crucual situations”
While Harmpanpreet Singh’s lethal drag flicks have sunk many a side over the last couple of years or so, Varun Kumar is coming of age too while Amit Rohidas can spring a surprise or two with the PCs.
The Indians now boast of a three-man battery and Varun explained how the trio decides as to who should step up to take which PC.
For a man who has been in the thick of the action for a while now, Varun still rates India’s Junior World Cup triumph as the most memorable event of his career but is candid enough to admit that every tournament leaves an imprint of its own.
Varun feels that coach Graham Reid who has been entrusted with the task of guiding the Indians to the Olympic qualifiers and beyond is one who never discriminates.
After a roller-coaster year, the Indian men have had a relatively quieter time recently but Varun feels the absence of back-to-back tournaments has given the players ample time to focus on correcting technical deficiencies and adding new skills to their arsenal.
The Indians will look to test some young talent in the forthcoming Olympic Test events which are to be held in Japan in August - and, of course, Varun Kumar will be there too.
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