Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock believes Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy could be the key difference-makers when India take on South Africa in their World T20 2026 Super 8 clash. With the two 2024 finalists meeting again in Ahmedabad on February 22, Pollock feels India’s bowling unit can give them a slight edge.
Speaking at the SuperSport ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Round Table, Pollock said both sides have players who can knock each other out on a given day. However, when he looks at the reports, it is India’s pace-spin duo that stands out.
“I think South Africa and India have the personnel to match one day. So Quinton (de Kock) can shoot. He can match what Abhishek (Sharma) can do. Aiden (Markram) can shoot. He can match anybody,” Pollock said.
“I’m just saying when I look at the lineups, I think the difference is the two bowlers in Bumrah and Chakaravarthy.
Pollock made it clear that South Africa are not short of quality, but believes the uniqueness of India’s two bowlers sets them apart.
“I’m not saying South Africa don’t have any quality, but it’s just the rare nature of the way they deliver the ball that gives them maybe that little bit of an edge. Bumrah is very unorthodox. He has amazing wrist position. He bowls brilliantly in overs with the new ball when he has to in the middle, and his death bowling is quite exceptional as well.
“And then who controls the middle overs for them? Chakaravarthy…When you talk about matchups. He’s a guy who can, it doesn’t matter who’s in the crease, whether it’s a left-hander or a right-hander who comes to the crease, he’s a guy who can dictate to him. So I think they have a bit of an edge over us,” he added in that department.
While India also have depth in Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya, Pollock’s assessment suggests that the Super 8 clash could affect how South Africa handle Bumrah and Varun in their respective phases.
HOW BUMRAH AND VARUN WERE IN T20 WORLD CUP 2026
The numbers support Pollock’s point. In the 21 matches that Bumrah and Varun have played together, the spinner outscores the pacer in wickets, 30 to 22.
In this tournament, Varun was one of the best Indian artists. In four matches, he conceded nine wickets at an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 5.16. His spell of 3 for 14 against the Netherlands highlighted his ability to squeeze the middle overs and break partnerships.
Bumrah as usual provided control and composure. He scored four goals in the group stage while maintaining an economy ratio of around six, operating effectively in the power play and at the death.
It doesn’t just have to be fireworks as India and South Africa renew their rivalry. If Pollock’s reading proves accurate, the Super 8 contest could hinge on Markram’s men being able to decode the rare skill sets of Bumrah and Varun.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 20, 2026