Usman Tariq. Usman Tariq. And Usman Tariq. Rise above the usual pre-match hype and his name still dominates the airwaves. His name is everywhere – on TV, radio, social media and in conversations.
In the build-up to Sunday’s FIFA World Cup T20 match between India and Pakistan, the reflector is firmly seated on the turntable. The scrutiny was unrelenting—debates about the legality of his act, endless repetitions of that distinctive pause before release, and questions about how he was generating deceptive pace despite the momentary delay. The pause is short but dramatic, almost theatrical, and has an obviously distraught beat.
Debate aside, the numbers and impact tell their own story: Tariq has been effective and will be central to Pakistan’s plans.
But great games are rarely about a single storyline. Across the divide stands Varun Chakravarthy – quieter in hype, louder in impact. Since his international comeback in 2024, Varun has rediscovered his rhythm and weaved mystery through subtle changes in flight, pace and trajectory.
Jasprit Bumrah may be the spearhead of India’s attack, but Varun has been equally influential. On a surface that is likely to help the spin in Colombo, Pakistan’s toughest puzzle may not be handling the pressure – perhaps solving Varun.
VARUN CONTINUES TO RAISE THE BAR
India won both their matches in the T20 World Cup and Varun Chakravarthy played a crucial role in each. Against the United States, his disciplined spell of 4-0-24-1 proved crucial they deny the Americans a glorious victory. While Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj dominated the wicket column, Varun’s control and ability to stifle the score was equally impressive. Varun Chakravarthy (L) will be India’s trump card against Pakistan. (Image: Reuters)
He further increased his performance against Namibia and returned excellent figures of 2-0-7-3 to script India’s biggest win in T20 World Cup history. Chasing 210, Namibia were in the match at 67 for one after seven overs, threatening to push India. But Varun quickly turned things around, dismissing Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and JJ Smit to leave the chase in tatters.
A true keeper, Varun thrives in useful conditions. He will relish the prospect of taking on Pakistan in Colombo, where spinners like Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Adam Zampa have thrived in the World Cup.
HOW VARUN DID VS PAKISTAN
Pakistan are well aware of the threat that Varun Chakravarthy poses, which is why their bowlers have largely taken a cautious approach towards him. In four matches against Pakistan, Varun took three wickets while maintaining a clean economy of seven. His only memorable outing came in 2021 when Pakistan handed India a 10-wicket defeat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
However, since his comeback in 2024, Varun has been much more confident and assertive towards Pakistan. It operated at a modest economy of 6.58 and featured key names like Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan. The shift paints a telling picture ahead of Sunday’s contest.
Pakistan must not take any unnecessary risks against him. Expect a thoughtful stroke play rather than extravagant hitting as they try to negate his threat while ensuring they don’t give him crucial wickets.
Varun Chakravarthy’s spells vs Pakistan
- 4-0-33-0 (Dubai 2021 T20 World Cup)
- 4-0-24-1 (Dubai, 2025, Asian Cup)
- 4-0-25-0 (Dubai, Asian Cup 2025)
- 4-0-30-2 (Dubai, Asian Cup 2025)
VARUN’S INCREDIBLE TRAIN CONTINUES
Varun is a goalkeeper but so what what really sets him apart is his unwavering consistency. Since his comeback, he has bowled 30 T20I innings and taken a wicket only twice. He is currently on a streak of 15 consecutive innings with at least one wicket – a remarkable testament to his reliability. Every time Suryakumar Yadav threw the ball at him in search of a breakthrough, Varun responded and rarely gave his captain cause to worry. Since his comeback, Varun Chakravarthy is India’s leading wicket-taker after the 2024 T20 World Cup. (Image: AP)
He has been the leading wicket-taker among spinners in T20Is since the 2024 T20 World Cup. In 32 matches, Varun scalped 61 wickets at an economy rate of 7.30, including two five-wicket hauls. Remarkably, he is the only spinner to break the 50-wicket mark at this stage – a clear testament to his enduring dominance. There is no doubt that he has made the T20 format his own.
On Sunday, India can virtually seal their place in the Super 8s with a win over Pakistan. Even with Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan providing an explosive start, Suryakumar can take solace in the fact that he has the ever-reliable Varun – a bowler for whom inconsistency simply does not exist.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 15, 2026