India’s national cricket team is just one step away from lifting the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy, but mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s struggles have left many worried.
The defending champions will take on the New Zealand national cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2026 final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8 and every bowler will have to perform well to create history on the big night.
It is a matter of some concern for India: Anil Kumble on Varun Chakraborty
However, Varun Chakraborty’s sudden decline in form has raised a serious question ahead of the title match. The mystery spinner has lost his charm since the Super 8 stage began, conceding more than 40 runs in his four overs against West Indies and England.
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Ahead of the summit clash, great spinner Anil Kumble believes Varun Chakravarthy’s struggles could put additional pressure on India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The former Indian head coach pointed out that if Chakravarthy fails, New Zealand will score freely in the middle overs.
Anil Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo, “Yes, it is a bit of a concern for India because he has been their favorite bowler; he has been their wicket-taker in the middle overs. Obviously, this puts extra pressure on Jasprit Bumrah. So, it is not easy when the opposition now looks at India and says, “Okay, we only need to be worried about Jasprit Bumrah’s four overs, not necessarily About Varun.”It is not easy for an Indian captain to have a perspective.”
Faf du Plessis names India’s biggest weakness before the T20 World Cup 2026 final
Meanwhile, former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis pointed out that India usually relies too much on its top five bowlers. But if even one of them struggles badly, the captain is forced to consider the sixth bowling option, which has been a weakness for the Men in Blue in this tournament.
This means that rival teams can target weaker overs and put India’s bowling attack under immense pressure. Faf du Plessis said during the same discussion: “It makes a difference in terms of a sixth bowling option. When you back your five bowlers, you expect them to perform well in every match.”
“And, in these last two-three games, there has been a bit of a concern about his form. So now, if you are playing your match-ups really well, you can really expose that fourth and fifth bowler and bring someone in as your sixth bowler that day,” the Proteas star said.
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Ravichandran Ashwin explains why batsmen target Varun Chakravarthy early
Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin had said that Varun Chakravarthy’s confidence drops whenever the batsmen start attacking him at the beginning of the spell, which makes it difficult for the mystery spinner to stay calm and control the game.
The former off-spinner believes that leg spinners should avoid bowling around the wicket to left-handed batsmen, as this gives them a better angle of attack. Ashwin feels that the Indian team management needs to talk to Varun and help him adjust his strategy as soon as possible.
“You can’t miss the length. Variation in line and length with change in pace is important. Have to talk to Varun. Don’t bowl to the left-hander from round the wicket,” Ashwin said in ‘Aish Ki Baat’.
