Varun Chakravarthy's Biggest Flaw Called Out Before India Vs England T20 World Cup Semi-Final

Varun Chakravarthy exposed before semi-final [Source: @Vipintiwari952/x]

Varun Chakravarthy picked up the huge wicket of West Indies captain Shai Hope in a match-winning spell last weekend as India stormed into the semi-final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The 34-year-old has now picked up at least one wicket in each of his last 20 T20I innings for Team India, a streak that dates back to the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE last year.

One of the leading wicket-takers of the ongoing showpiece event in India, the wily leg-spinner has his tail up going into the upcoming semi-final against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on March 5. However, just a couple of days before the knockout fixture, former India batter Mohammad Kaif inadvertently exposed a major weakness in Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling that England players might cash in on.

Varun Chakravarthy shows a “bit of panic”, believes Kaif

While speaking on his YouTube channel, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif claimed that ace India spinner Varun Chakravarthy tends to panic a bit when he is hit for runs. The ex-Indian batter also added that Chakravarthy starts bowling at the pads instead of sticking to his wicket-to-wicket length.

Also Read- Varun Chakaravarthy Faces Religious Trouble After IND Vs PAK, Takes U-Turn After Backlash

Kaif said, “Many batters are now coming prepared, knowing exactly how to plan against him (Varun). That is where a slight problem can arise. I have noticed that when he gets hit for runs, he sometimes shows a bit of panic. You can see it in the way he reacts. Instead of sticking to his natural wicket-to-wicket length, he starts bowling at the pads.”

The former cricketer also advised the 34-year-old to work more on his leg-spin in a bid to overcome his recent struggles with the ball.

He added, “Throughout this World Cup, I feel he has bowled very little leg-spin. He can work on his leg-spin because right now batsmen are waiting for his googly. Since the ball comes into the stumps, they treat it like an off-spinner and expect it to turn inward. That is why many of them are able to hit him towards long-on and straight with a full face of the bat.”

Chakravarthy’s recent economy poses big concern for India

Even though Varun Chakravarthy is picking up wickets, his economy rate in recent games poses a concern for Team India going into the knockout stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Compatible to Mohammad Kaif’s claims, the 34-year-old conceded 122 runs off his 12 overs in India’s three Super 8 matches combined against South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies over the last couple of weeks. 

In the match against the Proteas alone, he conceded 47 runs off his four overs as India succumbed to a huge 76-run defeat.

In comparison, the cricketer decimated Namibia, Pakistan and Netherlands in the Group Stage with eight wickets in three innings and with an economy rate of just 4.75. Losing his rhythm just a bit at a crucial stage of the tournament, Varun Chakravarthy could well be put to test by England’s aggressive batting unit.

India to face England for a place in the final

Team India will now face England in semi-final number two of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, March 5. The match will be hosted by the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and the action will commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards.

The ‘Men in Blue’ qualified for the knockout stage by finishing second on the Group 1 points table behind hitherto unbeaten South Africa.

Also Read- India's 'Unbeatable' Tag Removed; England Great Makes Big Claim Before Semifinal