Irfan Pathan emphasized that Team India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy should avoid bowling short deliveries in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against England. He suggested that the change in length has been the major cause behind the bowler’s recent expensive spells.

The former all-rounder urged Chakaravarthy to go back to his natural length. He pointed out that batters have countered the 34-year-old by going deep inside their crease. Explaining why the wily spinner should not look to bowl short against England, Irfan remarked in his YouTube video:

“I’ve been saying this from the start, don’t ask him to bowl short. I’ve seen some visuals of the practice. Let him bowl at his natural length. The batters are standing deeper in the crease against Varun Chakaravarthy to play the cut and pull. When he is trying to bowl full, they are using their feet against him and hitting straight as well. Varun Chakaravarthy has been put under pressure by teams. I believe that it is important for him to bowl the length that hits the top of the stumps right from the first ball.”

Irfan mentioned that if Chakaravarthy found his rhythm early, he could dominate the proceedings against the English batters. The cricketer-turned-commentator added:

“The first six balls will be crucial for him, and if he does that, his match-ups against Harry Brook and the rest of the English batters who struggle against spin will become dangerous. If there is some help for spinners on this pitch, his four overs will be like gold dust.”

Chakaravarthy is India’s highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2026. He has picked up 12 wickets across seven innings at an economy rate of 7.66. However, Irfan reckoned that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah must fire in the knockout fixture.

“Apart from Bumrah, you are not getting enough confidence in other bowlers in terms of performance. So, we hope that Bumrah doesn’t have an off-day. India cannot afford that. If it happens, India’s bowling will be under pressure because we have seen Hardik getting hit in the death overs, even Arshdeep can be targeted for a big over, and Varun Chakaravarthy is searching for form. Axar Patel does his job but doesn’t have many wickets,” Irfan stated.

The semifinal between India and England will be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 5. The winner will join New Zealand in the final.

“Don’t let him play the lap shot” – Irfan Pathan’s suggestion to Indian bowlers for Jos Buttler

England’s Jos Buttler has had a dismal run with the bat this edition. However, he is capable of single-handedly taking the game away from the opposition with his big hitting.

Irfan Pathan highlighted that the Indian bowlers must not let Buttler play the lap shot early in the innings, as it would increase his confidence. He commented in the same video:

“Buttler hasn’t been in form and is a sleeping giant, but he likes this pitch. I believe that if Jos Buttler plays the lap shot in the first two overs, he will be in dangerous form. Don’t let him play the lap shot. You can take the fine leg back to counter that.”

Buttler has scored just 62 runs across seven innings in the ongoing ICC event. He has an impressive record against the Men in Blue in the format, chalking up 644 runs from 27 T20Is at an average of 32.2 and a strike rate of 143.75.