Ashwin Analyzes Chakaravarthy's Bowling Ahead of T20 World Cup Final

As India gears up to defend its T20 World Cup title against New Zealand, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced concerns about Varun Chakaravarthy's bowling performance. Ashwin believes that Chakaravarthy's confidence wanes when batters attack him aggressively. He advises tactical adjustments, particularly against left-handers. Chakaravarthy's recent record of conceding 64 runs in a semi-final match has raised eyebrows, marking it as one of the most expensive spells in T20 World Cup history. The final match is set for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, promising an exciting showdown.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 6, 2026, 21:25 IST

Ashwin's Insights on Chakaravarthy's Performance

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns regarding Varun Chakaravarthy's performance, noting that his confidence diminishes when batters attack him aggressively. As India prepares to defend its title against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, Ashwin advised that Chakaravarthy should avoid bowling from round the wicket to left-handed batsmen. This commentary follows India's narrow victory over England in the semi-final, where they won by seven runs at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Chakaravarthy's Record-Breaking Bowling Figures

During the semi-final, Chakaravarthy set an unfortunate record by conceding 64 runs while claiming just one wicket, marking it as one of the joint-second most expensive bowling performances in T20 World Cup history. He now shares this dubious distinction with Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, who recorded similar figures against Pakistan in 2007.

Ashwin's Tactical Recommendations

"What is happening with Varun is not that teams are simply attacking him; they are aware of his capabilities. Every cricketer faces this challenge. However, tactical adjustments are crucial. Maintaining proper line and length, along with speed variations, is essential. Varun needs guidance," Ashwin remarked on his show 'Ash ki Baat'.

"Each time he is targeted early on, his confidence takes a hit, as he realizes he is falling behind. I have repeatedly emphasized this. He should refrain from bowling from round the wicket to left-handers," he added.

Notable Expensive Bowling Spells in T20 World Cup

The record for the most expensive bowling figures in a T20 World Cup match was set in this tournament by Saurabh Netravalkar of the USA, who ended with 0/65 against India. Chakaravarthy's figures now rank as the joint second-most costly for India in T20Is, alongside Yuzvendra Chahal's 0/64 against South Africa in 2018 and trailing Prasidh Krishna's 0/68 against Australia in 2023.

Upcoming T20 World Cup Final: India vs New Zealand

The T20 World Cup final will see defending champions India face off against New Zealand on Sunday, March 8, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This matchup is particularly significant as both teams previously met in the Champions Trophy final in 2025, and they will once again compete for the title in this ICC event.