Gautam Gambhir Set To Drop Out-Of-Form India Player In T20 World Cup Final Vs New Zealand

Gautam Gambhir during an intense discussion [Source: AFP]

According to emerging reports, India could make a significant change to their playing XI for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. Under Suryakumar Yadav's leadership, India showcased remarkable skill and resilience to beat England and book their berth in the final. 

While Sanju Samson has come out with all guns blazing, the likes of Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan have chipped in with crucial contributions. Meanwhile, the co-hosts have some definite chinks in the armour regarding their bowling department, with Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy searching for consistency. 

So, as the Men in Blue gear up for the T20 World Cup final, the Gautam Gambhir-led team management considers making a bold change to their playing XI from the semifinal clash. 

Varun Chakaravarthy adds to India's spin woes in T20 World Cup

Although the Men in Blue have emerged victorious on seven out of eight occasions, the inconsistency of their lead spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy, is bothering them ahead of the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. 

Despite picking thirteen wickets in eight outings in the tournament, Chakaravarthy has looked lacklustre since the start of the Super 8 stage. 

Also read: Struggling Varun Chakaravarthy Gets Backing Despite Recent T20 World Cup Failures

Statistically, the Indian spinner has bagged only four wickets in last four matches, averaging 46.5. His underwhelming returns have disappointed the Indian team, adversely affecting their performance in the middle overs. 

Additionally, Varun Chakaravarthy has found it tough to get going against New Zealand, scalping four wickets in as many appearances. Hailed for his deceptive variations, Chakaravarthy has failed to outfox the Kiwis, as evidenced by his economy rate of 8.19. 

Gautam Gambhir might bring Kuldeep Yadav as Chakaravarthy's lean run persists

So, given that Varun Chakaravarthy has become predictable for the batters, India are reportedly considering replacing him with Kuldeep Yadav for the T20 World Cup final. 

According to a report by Express Sports, the Gautam Gambhir-led team management is planning to unleash Kuldeep Yadav, who is pretty much in the mix of things for the all-important final against New Zealand. 

As reported earlier, it will be a mix-soil pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium for the mega clash. Considering the track might require pure skill from the spinners to bamboozle the batters, Kuldeep, who has several tricks up his sleeves, could get a nod ahead of the struggling Chakaravarthy. 

Kuldeep Yadav has done comparatively better than Chakaravarthy against New Zealand in T20Is. The wrist spinner has bagged nine wickets at an impressive economy of 7.64 across eight games against the BlackCaps. 

Should India make a last-minute change to their winning combination?

Although the report claims that Gautam Gambhir's Indian team could bring in Kuldeep for Chakaravarthy, we reckon the Men in Blue shouldn't tweak their winning combination for the T20 World Cup final. 

Chakaravarthy has been a regular member of the team, having scalped the most wickets for the Indian team in T20Is since the start of 2025. 

Also, such a move could unsettle the Indian combination that has been on a roll since steamrolling Zimbabwe in the Super 8. Thus, sticking to the same team will be more logical and safe option than making drastic changes, as the Men in Blue eye a historic T20 World Cup triumph for the third time. 

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