Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels Varun Chakravarthy’s recent dip in form is worrying but believes the enigmatic drill can bounce back when India take on the West Indies in their must-win Super 8 clash in Kolkata.
Varun has been one of India’s standout performers in the tournament overall, picking up 11 wickets in six matches at an economy of 7.20, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker so far. However, his impact waned at the Super 8 stage, where he was not as effective as earlier in the competition.
IND vs ZIM T20 WORLD CUP 2026 SUPER 8s: MAIN | SCORECARD
On his YouTube channel, Pathan pointed out that Varun’s recent struggles stemmed from inconsistency in length, especially against right-handers.
“The interest remains on Varun Chakravarthy. About 63% of his deliveries were too short. He usually bowls a shorter length compared to traditional spinners, but not that short. In the last two matches, he bowled fuller for left-handers but too short for right-handers. If it is a conscious tactical shift, it could complicate things,” Pathan said.
However, Pathan backed Varun to turn things around at Eden Gardens.
“Against West Indies in Kolkata – a pitch he knows well – he can bounce back. Just a slight adjustment in length, maybe the left-handers will come closer to the stumps around the wicket and come back. If he takes the wicket early, he can create serious pressure,” he added.
With West Indies boasting a strong batting line-up, India will need Varun to quickly rediscover his rhythm if they are to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
HOW DID VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY PERFORM?
Varun’s overall numbers in the tournament remain strong, but his recent outings have raised concerns.
Against South Africa in Ahmedabad, he conceded 47 runs at an economy of 11.75, taking only one wicket. In the following match against Zimbabwe, he went for 35 runs in three overs at an economy of 8.75.
These performances were in contrast to his earlier impact in the group stage, where his variation and control helped India get crucial breakthroughs.
As India prepares for a virtual knockout against the West Indies, Varun’s role becomes even more important. A return to shorter lengths and early wickets could tilt the contest in India’s favour.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
27 Feb 2026 15:25 IST
