Former Team India batsman Subramaniam Badrinath has urged spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to revamp his bowling strategy following a series of lackluster performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Despite an impressive start in the group stage with nine wickets in four matches, the 34-year-old has struggled to make an impact in the Super Eights, managing only two wickets in as many games.
Varun has also been unusually expensive in the Super Eight fixtures, with an economy rate exceeding 10. India suffered a defeat against South Africa by 76 runs before bouncing back with a 72-run victory over Zimbabwe.
Expressing concern over Varun’s recent form slump, Badrinath highlighted the need for a tactical shift in the spinner’s approach. In a statement on his YouTube channel, Badrinath emphasized Varun’s predictable bowling pattern, stating that opponents have become adept at handling his googly deliveries right from the start. He suggested that Varun should vary his approach to keep batters on their toes.
The former cricketer also pointed out the additional pressure on other bowlers like Bumrah when Varun fails to deliver. Badrinath expressed confidence in Varun’s ability to bounce back, especially against teams like the West Indies who struggle against mystery spinners.
Despite his recent struggles, Varun still boasts impressive statistics in the tournament, with 11 wickets at an average of 13.09 and an economy rate of 7.20.
Badrinath also raised concerns about India’s reliance on part-time medium-pacer Shivam Dube as the sixth bowling option. Following Dube’s lackluster performance against Zimbabwe, where he leaked 46 runs in just two overs, Badrinath questioned Dube’s effectiveness with the ball. With Varun’s inconsistency putting pressure on the bowling unit, Badrinath stressed the importance of having a reliable sixth bowler.
Dube, who has picked up five wickets in six matches in the T20 World Cup, has struggled with an economy rate of 13.28, raising doubts about his ability to contain runs in crucial situations.
In conclusion, Badrinath emphasized the need for Varun Chakaravarthy to reassess his bowling strategy and for India to address the bowling depth concerns to perform consistently in the remaining matches of the T20 World Cup 2026. With Varun’s potential to turn the tide and India’s need for a reliable bowling lineup, the team faces challenges that must be overcome to succeed in the tournament.
The article has been edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran for clarity and coherence.
