ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Kolkata, Feb 28: With a semifinal berth on the line at Eden Gardens, India’s think tank is recalibrating its approach to mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy ahead of the crucial T20 World Cup clash against the West Indies.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate revealed that the team has alternative strategies in place to maximise Varun’s impact at a venue he knows intimately from his time with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
Varun began the tournament in impressive fashion and remains India’s leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps in six matches at an average of just over 13. However, his last two outings have raised concerns.
He conceded 47 runs for a solitary wicket against South Africa and followed it up with figures of 1/35 versus Zimbabwe, with opponents appearing more proactive in their approach against him.
Addressing the dip in returns, Doeschate acknowledged that familiarity among players in the IPL era means batters are better prepared.
“Most players share dressing rooms at some point or the other, so there is always information being exchanged about strengths and weaknesses,” he said, adding that such insights often influence match-ups in international contests.
On Varun’s role, Doeschate noted that the spinner has largely been deployed as an attacking option, often operating in the powerplay to break partnerships.
However, with teams adapting to his variations, India are exploring different ways to use him across phases of the innings.“He has enjoyed a lot of success here and remains someone we rely on for wickets,” Doeschate said, expressing confidence that the spinner can bounce back strongly.
As India prepare for a high-stakes encounter, much could hinge on how effectively Varun is managed against a powerful West Indies batting unit eager to seize any opportunity. (Agencies)
