T20 World Cup 2026: 'About 63% of his deliveries were too short' - Irfan Pathan analyses concerns around Varun Chakravarthy
Despite valiant efforts by the Indian bowlers, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan was not satisfied with the way mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy bowled.
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India strengthened their hopes for the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals after a brilliant 72-run win over Zimbabwe in the Super Eights encounter on Thursday, February 26, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India posted 256-4 after 20 overs and contained the Chevrons for just 184-6, gaining a massive win ahead of the virtual quarter-final against the West Indies on March 1 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Despite valiant efforts by the Indian bowlers, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan was not satisfied with the way mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy bowled. Analysing the spinner's four-over spell against the Sikandar Raza-led side, Irfan felt that Chakravarthy was bowling way too many short deliveries, which allows batters to free their arms and score easy runs. Irfan noticed the pattern and feels that it needs to be changed.
“The concern remains Varun Chakravarthy. About 63% of his deliveries were too short. He usually bowls a shorter length compared to traditional spinners, but not this short. In the last two matches, he has bowled fuller to left-handers but too short to right-handers. If this is a conscious tactical shift, it could complicate things,” Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Irfan, however, is confident that the Indian spinner is likely to come good against the Caribbean side on Sunday. Considering Chakravarthy's experience playing at the Eden Gardens for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Irfan feels that the Tamil Nadu cricketers needs to bowl on smarter line and lengths in order to succeed against the two-time champions.
“Against West Indies in Kolkata — a pitch he knows well — he can bounce back. Just a slight adjustment in length, maybe come closer to the stumps around the wicket to left-handers, and he’ll be back. If he picks up an early wicket, he can create serious pressure,” he added.
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Chakravarthy has been the best spinner for the Indian team ever since his comeback to the T20I set-up. He has been the star performer for the side in the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup triumphs for the Men in Blue in 2025. It will be interesting to see if the cricketer can unleash a memorable spell against the West Indies on Sunday.
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