India Unveils New T20 World Cup Strategies for Varun Chakravarthy vs. West Indies
India is adapting its strategies for spinner Varun Chakravarthy as they approach a pivotal T20 World Cup match against the West Indies. This match will take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 31, 2026. The decision comes after Chakravarthy faced difficulties in his last outings against South Africa and Zimbabwe, despite being a key player for the team.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Performance Overview
In the T20 World Cup, Varun Chakravarthy has been India’s leading wicket-taker. He has secured 11 wickets in six matches, averaging 13.09 with an economy of 7.20, ranking him third overall among wicket-takers. However, his recent performances raised concerns:
- Against South Africa: 1 wicket for 47 runs in 4 overs.
- Against Zimbabwe: 1 wicket for 35 runs in 4 overs.
Chakravarthy’s economy rates in these matches exceeded 8.75, prompting a reassessment of his role in the upcoming match.
Strategic Adjustments for Upcoming Match
Ryan Ten Doeschate, the Indian assistant coach, acknowledged the need for alternative strategies regarding Chakravarthy. He noted that other teams have begun to adjust their gameplay against him. As a result, India will implement different techniques to maximize his effectiveness in varying contexts of the game.
Focus on Opponent’s Key Player
Another area of focus is Sherfane Rutherford, who was traded to the Mumbai Indians. Ten Doeschate emphasized that players frequently share insights about their strengths and weaknesses from the IPL, especially regarding opponents from their franchises.
India and West Indies Squads
Both teams feature strong lineups for the crucial encounter:
| India Squad | West Indies Squad |
|---|---|
| Sanju Samson (w) | Brandon King |
| Abhishek Sharma | Shai Hope (w/c) |
| Ishan Kishan | Shimron Hetmyer |
| Suryakumar Yadav (c) | Rovman Powell |
| Tilak Varma | Roston Chase |
| Hardik Pandya | Sherfane Rutherford |
| Shivam Dube | Romario Shepherd |
| Axar Patel | Jason Holder |
| Arshdeep Singh | Matthew Forde |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Gudakesh Motie |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Shamar Joseph |
| Rinku Singh | Johnson Charles |
| Washington Sundar | Akeal Hosein |
| Mohammed Siraj | Jayden Seales |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Quentin Sampson |
As India prepares for this match, the team is hopeful that revised strategies will assist in leveraging Chakravarthy’s capabilities effectively on a familiar ground.