India captain Suryakumar Yadav may have dismissed any worries regarding Varun Chakravarthy’s performance, but on the eve of the summit match, speculation about the mystery spinner’s place in the starting lineup for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand persisted.
The team’s final lineup is still a topic of discussion because Kuldeep Yadav is waiting in the wings, despite the captain’s insistence that there was no fear in the camp over Chakravarthy’s tournament comeback.
“There are no concerns regarding Varun’s form. We have won the match due to collective effort and once you have won a match, you shouldn’t over-think,” PTI quoted Suryakumar as replying to a query if there is a worry about the spinner going for plenty in recent games.
“If you have 11 players, not everyone will perform on each day. There will be ups and downs and there are others to cover for that person. I have no worries about Varun as he is a World No. 1 bowler, he knows how to raise his game on big occasions and win it for his team, and I am sure he will definitely win the final for us,” Suryakumar backed his teammate like any captain would do.
However, there was no conclusive evidence throughout the training session that Chakravarthy would be there in the playing XI. Chakravarthy was rather quiet during the training session. Bowling coach Morne Morkel watched intently from behind the nets as the Tamil Nadu spinner did some single-wicket bowling.
A little distance away, on the match strip, Suryakumar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar were conversing.
After some time, Chakravarthy returned and sat peacefully on a blue ice box, watching while Tilak Varma and Kuldeep alternated bowling in the nearby net.
Chakravarthy has gone at over nine runs per over in the competition—8.85, to be exact—including being pounded for 64 runs against England in one of the games, adding to the mystery around his spot.
But it might not be an easy decision to replace him with Kuldeep either. The wrist-spinner has only participated in one tournament match, and historically, at least in ODIs, Daryl Mitchell has had an advantage over him. Glenn Phillips is likewise a tactical addition to India’s selection puzzle.
Suryakumar opted to keep his cards close to his chest when asked if India might make any changes for the championship match.
“See that for yourself tomorrow. It seems you want to know everything today,” he said with a smile.
