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Former India fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji made a bold statement against Varun Chakravarthy ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Mumbai on March 5.
Varun Chakravarthy has taken 12 wickets in 7 games so far with an average of 15.33 and an economy rate of 7.66. However, the numbers look good but the Indian spinners have conceded a lot of runs in the past few games, including 40 against West Indies in the Super 8 match.
Lakshmipathy Balaji makes important statement on Varun Chakravarthy
Lakshmipathy Balaji ahead of India vs England semi-final team Now know how to play Varun Chakravarthy. The batsmen wait for his stroke and attack him in front of the wicket or attack him from the back foot.
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Commentators have slammed the spinner for being too reliant on the ‘Google’ as it should be a surprise ball and not an ordinary ball. He advised spinners not to bowl too often and praised the team management for providing him with a cushion by playing him after the powerplay.
Varun Chakravarthy is on the defensive with Google: Balaji
Balaji said in ‘Cric It with Badri’: “Varun Chakravarthy has always been the first-choice bowler. But since the South Africa game, they have opened the book on how to bowl Varun. They handled it well, targeting him in front of the wicket and then waiting and bowling on the back foot.
His pitching and shooting patterns are being analyzed. Therefore, he must be more proactive. I think his leg cutter was missing. He’s using Google for defense. This should be a surprise delivery. He should pitch slower. “
He suggested that Varun should slow down in the air, hit the ball fuller instead of short, and bring back his leg-cutter. The former pacer further explained: “Yes, no matter how much you practice, dew will make it difficult.”
“But he’s short in length. He can bowl the ball more fully and give himself more opportunities to try and make the batsmen make mistakes. Maybe he should show more confidence against the leg-cutters and slow down the delivery in the air.”
Balaji feels sorry for Kuldeep Yadav but still supports Varun
The cricket expert felt sorry for Kuldeep Yadav as he did not get a chance in the 2026 T20 World Cup, but stressed that despite Varun’s expensive bowling, he will not omit him from the playing squad.
Balaji further stated, “Unfortunately, there is no place for Kuldeep. Who would you give up for him? I would have loved to have him but there is no place. I can’t give up Varun for him. He has been the key. I will definitely support Varun even if he has run. Wankhede is a tough place for spinners with shorter boundaries.”
He feels this inconsistency is hurting the batting as only one batsman has scored runs for India in the ongoing match. Balaji concluded: “Consistency in batting is an issue. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishanand Suryakumar Yadav. There are some concerns among the top four. “
Also read: IPL 2026 postponed? BCCI issues official statement on delay in schedule announcement
