Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes teams have started to pick ace India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, resulting in the latter’s poor showing in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The 34-year-old endured his worst bowling performance in T20Is in the semifinal against England, conceding 64 off his four overs.

Varun removed dangerman Jos Buttler for 25 but struggled the rest of the way as the England batters took toll of his inefficient bowling. The veteran spinner has been in indifferent form since the start of the Super Eights, going at an economy of over 10 in each of his last four games.

Talking about Varun Chakaravarthy’s alarming dip in form, Vaughan said on Cricbuzz (19:53):

“Players are playing him better, and he is bowling like a slow seamer. I don’t think he’s getting any revolutions on the ball. He’s just putting it there so the ball is not gripping at all. Teams seem to be hitting him down the ground a lot easier. They are cutting him to the offside, and he’s not cramping the batters.”

He added:

“They seem to be able to free up their arms at the moment against him. Maybe he’s bowling a little bit too wide. But they’ll go with him again. Yet, I don’t think it’ll affect India if they go with Kuldeep either. But you’ve got to the final and been consistent in selection, the last three games, so they should go with the same 11 again.”

Despite Varun’s woeful bowling display, the Men in Blue survived a brilliant run-chase from England and won by seven runs.

“He should be in the playing 11 for the final” – Ajinkya Rahane on Varun Chakaravarthy

Former Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane urged Team India to back the struggling Varun Chakaravarthy and not make changes to their playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on March 8. The leg-spinner entered the tournament full of confidence as the No.1-ranked T20I bowler in the world.

Varun got off to an excellent start, picking up nine wickets in four group stage outings.

“I don’t think the Indian team should be worried, and Varun shouldn’t be thinking too much. He should be in the playing 11 for the final. He’s struggling at the moment and leaking runs, but he has to believe in his ability that if he gets going, he can take you those three to four wickets in his 24 balls,” said Rahane (via the aforementioned source).

He added:

“Also tactically, because India have Bumrah, the opposition is looking to attack Varun and Axar. Everyone is studying Varun Chakaravarthy. He just needs that one good game, and he must believe in his ability that he’s going to win the match for the team.”

The 64 runs conceded by Varun were the second-most by an Indian bowler in a T20I game.