India have advanced to another T20 World Cup final, but the manner of their passage has raised serious questions about the balance of their bowling attack.
The defending champions edged out England by seven runs in a game that felt like a strike fest. A staggering 499 runs were scored in 40 overs, turning the contest into one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament.
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England’s chase of 254 looked unlikely for a long time. But Jacob Bethell’s stunning 105 off 48 balls changed everything. The young left-hander played a fearless innings that kept England alive almost unaided. The sixes continued to fly into the Mumbai night. Each ending brought new tension.
In the end, India held their nerve. Shivam Dube produced a composed finale to seal victory in seven rounds and send the defending champions into Sunday’s final.
There was relief, celebration and the familiar joy of another World Cup final match. But beneath the joy lay a question that India could not ignore.
India’s bowling attack looked stretched in the semi-final. Jasprit Bumrah once again had to shoulder the responsibility game controls. And in the middle overs, one of India’s key bowlers struggled badly to keep the score.
Which brings attention back to the selection decision, which is increasingly difficult to justify.
Why is Kuldeep Yadav still on the bench while Varun Chakravarthy struggles for rhythm and control?
VARUN’S RHYTHM LEFT HIM
Varun Chakravarthy arrived at the T20 World Cup as one of India’s X factors. Between the previous T20 World Cup and the current edition, no player from a full member state has taken more wickets. The enigmatic spinner has grown into a central figure in India’s white-ball plans and even played a role in the team’s Champions Trophy triumph.
The tournament started exactly as India would have hoped. In the group stage, Chakravarthy picked up 12 wickets in just four matches. Batters struggled to pick out his variations. His carrom balls and googlies forced errors and for a while it looked like India had found a bowler who could control the middle overs while still taking wickets.
But the Super 8 stage told a different story.
Against South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies, Chakravarthy began to lose control. The runs started to flow and the pressure he usually creates through the dots was slowly disappearing. His economy rate soared to 10.16 during the Super 8 phase, well above his usual standard of around seven runs per over.
The numbers underscore the scale of the problem. Of the 72 deliveries Chakravarthy bowled in Super 8, only 20 were dot balls, a dot ball percentage of 27.77. For a spinner who revels in tightening the screws and forcing batters to make mistakes, this number is troubling.
The struggles became most visible in the semi-final against England.
Chakravarthy conceded 64 runs in his four overs, the most expensive spell by an Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history. England’s Jacob Bethell led the charge and smashed 41 runs off just 13 balls against the spinner. Varun Chakravarthy had the most expensive spell by an Indian bowler in T20 World Cups. (Image: AFP)
Magic also entered the record books for the wrong reasons. He became the joint second most expensive spell in T20 World Cup history, equaling Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, who conceded 64 runs against Pakistan in 2007.
It also continued the exciting pattern for Chakravarthy.
He has now conceded 35+ runs in three consecutive T20Is for only the second time in his career. The previous instance occurred during the bilateral series against South Africa and New Zealand in late 2025 and early 2026, when he conceded 53, 37, 35 and 36 runs in consecutive games.
Batters are rotational hitters with ease. Short deliveries are quickly penalized. And for the first time in a long time, the mysterious spinner suddenly gets no answers.
BUMRAH CONTINUES TO CARRY INDIA
If India is in the final, A lot of credit has to go to Jasprit Bumrah for that. On a surface where the bowlers had little room for error, Bumrah produced a spell of remarkable control. He finished with 1 for 33 in four overs, easily the best figures among the Indian bowlers on the night.
His Harry Brook goal came at a crucial moment. The batter mistimed the cutter and Axar Patel raced back to complete the crisp catch.
But Bumrah’s biggest impact came in the death overs. When England needed a boost, he delivered a series of accurate yorkers. Borders replaced singles. The pressure was slowly shifting back in favor of India.
One tight over conceded just six runs, leaving England needing two huge overs to complete the chase. This moment effectively sealed the match. Jasprit Bumrah has been the difference for India. (Image: AP)
Bumrah’s numbers in world tournaments remain extraordinary. In this T20 World Cup, his economy rate is 6.3. At a time when totals regularly exceed 200, this number stands out.
Across all T20 World Cups, his economy rate is an amazing 5.63. However, India’s reliance on him is becoming very apparent. Every time the game starts to run away, Bumrah is called upon to restore order. He did it repeatedly. But India cannot depend on him forever.
On a day when Bumrah doesn’t deliver, India will need another bowler to step forward.
This is where Kuldeep Yadav enters the conversation.
WHY SHOULD KULDEEP PLAY THE FINAL
Kuldeep Yadav played only one match in this tournament. His solitary appearance came against Pakistan in Colombo where India played three spinners. Kuldeep returned impressive figures of 1 for 14, showing control and variation.
After this match, he was dropped again once the tournament moved to India. The decision looks even more puzzling when we look at his recent record.
Since his T20I comeback, Kuldeep has taken 57 wickets in just 28 innings. That means he strikes once every 11.2 balls. Among bowlers from Full Member nations with at least 50 wickets, no one has a better strike rate. Once considered indispensable, Kuldeep Yadav now finds himself on the bench. (Image: AP)
Kuldeep was also instrumental in India’s 2024 World T20 title, picking up 10 wickets in five matches.
He has also developed as a T20 bowler over the last few years. Given that 2022 IPL, Kuldeep is faster through the air. He releases the ball quicker and often aims for a slightly shorter length. The ball slides off the surface, giving the batsmen less time to react.
Still, he hasn’t lost the qualities that make wrist-spinning dangerous. Kuldeep keeps generating heavy spin on the ball. This causes drift, dip and sharp turn, making it difficult for batsmen to line up.
Kuldeep also performed well against New Zealand, India’s opponents in the final. He took eight wickets in seven T20Is against them. He averages 22.6 with an economy rate of 7.5 and a strike rate of 18. His best figures against New Zealand are 2 for 26.
During the five-match T20I series in India in January 2026, Kuldeep also delivered key spells of 2 for 35 and 2 for 39, which helped India restrict the visitors at crucial times.
India have largely stuck to a consistent bowling combination throughout this tournament. Chakravarthy a Axar Patel was the preferred spin optionswhile Washington Sundar was briefly tried during the group stage.
Continuity often helps in tournament cricket. But form cannot be ignored.
Right now, Varun Chakravarthy lacks confidence and control. The pressure is starting to show.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav offers a proven wicket option with a unique skill set. He can attack the batsmen, break up partnerships and change the tempo of the game. Will Gambhir want to stick with Varun in the final? (PTI Photo)
India survived the English attack in Bombay. The final against New Zealand may not allow the same margin for error.
If India want the best chance of defending their title, they need to take a bold call and line up the out-of-form Varun for the proven Kuldeep.
Kuldeep Yadav cannot stay on the bench as India look to control the ball.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
March 7, 2026 07:27 IST
