Cricket – Simon Doull backs Varun Chakravarthy ahead of World Cup final
Cricket – As anticipation builds ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull believes India should continue backing mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy rather than considering a late switch to Kuldeep Yadav. According to Doull, despite a recent dip in performance, Chakravarthy remains a difficult bowler for opponents to decode in high-pressure situations.
Doull urges faith in Chakravarthy for the title clash
Speaking ahead of the summit clash, Doull said India have little reason to alter their bowling combination. While Kuldeep Yadav is widely regarded as one of the most skilled wrist spinners in international cricket, Doull feels Chakravarthy’s unique style still offers India a valuable advantage.
He pointed out that even with extensive video analysis available to teams, facing a mystery spinner in real time under match pressure is a completely different challenge. Doull stressed that Chakravarthy’s variations remain difficult to pick and that the bowler should continue to feature in India’s playing eleven for the final.
Strong group stage followed by costly outings
Chakravarthy entered the tournament as the top-ranked bowler in T20 internationals and made a significant impact during the group stage. Across four matches in the opening phase, he claimed nine wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate of just over five runs per over.
However, the tournament’s Super Eight stage has been less consistent for the spinner. In four matches during that phase, he managed only four wickets while conceding runs at a much higher rate, with his economy rising to more than 11 runs per over.
His most expensive spell came during the semifinal against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Although he remains among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers, Chakravarthy conceded 64 runs while taking a single wicket, marking the costliest performance of his T20 international career and one of the most expensive spells recorded in World Cup history.
Statistics also show that many of his high-scoring spells have come in recent months, with several of his most expensive T20 international overs occurring since late 2025.
Questions around Abhishek Sharma’s form
While the bowling debate continues, India’s opening partnership has also attracted attention during the tournament. Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has struggled to make a consistent impact, partly due to illness earlier in the competition that disrupted his rhythm.
In seven innings, Abhishek has scored 89 runs at an average below 13. Off-spin bowling has posed particular challenges for him, accounting for multiple dismissals while limiting his scoring opportunities.
Despite his difficulties, India have largely retained faith in the young opener, who has shown promise in domestic and franchise cricket but has yet to fully translate that form into sustained success in the tournament.
Samson emerges as one of tournament’s standout batters
In contrast to Abhishek’s struggles, Sanju Samson has delivered a remarkable turnaround story during the World Cup. Initially left out of India’s playing lineup earlier in the competition, he has since emerged as one of the most dangerous batters in the tournament.
Across four innings, Samson has accumulated 232 runs at an impressive average above 70 while scoring at a strike rate exceeding 200. His aggressive approach has produced two half-centuries and a series of powerful hitting displays, including numerous sixes.
Samson’s impact has been evident from the beginning of his innings. He has scored rapidly in the powerplay overs and maintained a similarly aggressive tempo afterward. His early scoring rate and boundary percentage are among the highest recorded in the tournament for players with more than 200 runs.
Doull praised Samson’s performances, noting that the wicketkeeper-batter has long possessed the talent to deliver such innings but had not always produced them consistently at the international level.
New Zealand likely to target opening partnership
Looking ahead to the final, Doull suggested that New Zealand’s bowling strategy may revolve around containing Samson while also exploiting Abhishek’s vulnerability against certain types of bowling.
He expects New Zealand to rely on fast bowler Matt Henry early in the innings, particularly targeting Samson with deliveries that move back into the batter. According to Doull, Henry’s ability to swing the ball in both directions could create opportunities by challenging both edges of the bat.
Another likely tactical move could involve introducing off-spinner Cole McConchie early if Abhishek faces the strike. The approach mirrors tactics used by New Zealand in earlier matches during the tournament.
While such strategies do not guarantee success, Doull believes they represent the most logical plan for New Zealand as they prepare to face India’s aggressive top order in what promises to be a closely contested World Cup final.