“Varun Chakaravarthy Is 1 Game Away”- India Playing XI Status Revealed For T20 Final

Varun Chakaravarthy [Source: @Vipintiwari952/x]

Varun Chakaravarthy has had a topsy-turvy T20 World Cup 2026 campaign for Team India so far. After steamrolling Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands in the group stage, the wily Indian leg-spinner has endured expensive spells throughout the Super 8s and the semi-final stage of the tournament.

In spite of his uneven campaign, the 34-year-old still finds himself as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the competition with 13 scalps, albeit at an expensive economy rate of 8.85 and with a bowling average of 19.07. 

In any case, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner seems to be wary of Varun Chakaravarthy’s threat for the impending final as the star all-rounder recently praised the struggling Indian spinner.

Santner believes Varun Chakaravarthy just a match away from returning to form

Varun Chakaravarthy’s form and expensive outings have emerged as one of the primary area of concerns for the Indian team this T20 World Cup 2026. 

While the struggling leg-spinner has received the backing of former Indian cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and Virender Sehwag, several fans and experts are urging the team management to bench the 34-year-old from the impending India vs New Zealand final.

Also Read- Watch- Brevis Mocks Varun Chakravarthy With No-Look Six In IND Vs SA T20 WC Match

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, however, believes Varun Chakaravarthy is still a “very good bowler” who is just one match away from storming back into form.

While speaking with the reporters during the pre-match press conference, Santner said “Varun is a very good bowler. He's one game away from breaking the tie.”

A T20 World Cup in two halves for Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy started off the 2026 T20 World Cup with a match-winning spell of 1-24 and 3-7 against USA and Namibia respectively. 

Also dousing Pakistan and Netherlands in the next two games, the cricketer collected nine wickets in just India’s four Group A matches at an exceptional bowling average of 6.88.

However, the 34-year-old maintained an expensive economy rate of 11.62 and an average of 46.5 throughout the Super 8s and the semifinal of the tournament. 

Even in the match against England in Mumbai earlier this week, the leg-spinner conceded 64 runs off his four overs with just one wicket to show for.

Overall, Chakravarthy has claimed 13 wickets in the competition from eight innings at an average of 19.07 and an economy of 8.85.

India to take a call on Chakaravarthy as team chases history

Securing a thrilling seven-run win over England in the second semi-final, Team India will now face New Zealand in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.  The match will be hosted by Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, March 8 and the action will commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards.

If Suryakumar Yadav and co. manage to defeat New Zealand, Team India will become the first side in history to go back-to-back in T20 World Cups, and also the first to win the title on three occasions. Moreover, the ‘Men in Blue’ will also become the first team in history to lift the T20 World Cup at home.

As of now, it remains to be seen if the Indian team management will continue to persist with struggling Varun Chakravarthy as the defending champions chase unmitigated glory.

Also Read- Mitchell Santner Vows To Become Pat Cummins For India, Ahmedabad Silencer Status Taken