Kris Srikkanth felt that Varun Chakaravarthy is more dangerous than Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian team right now. The former India opener noted that Chakaravarthy is underappreciated despite his outstanding performance in the shortest format.
Varun has scored nine wickets in four matches of T20 World Cup 2026, with a whopping average of 6.88 and an equally impressive economy rate of 5.16. The spinner ended with three to fourteen in three overs against Netherlands. Without the these important wickets, India would have lost the winning streak in the competition.
Varun and Bumrah have jointly played 21 games and the enigmatic spinner has received many wickets than the talismanic pacer (30-22). On his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth said that Varun has not got the attention he deserves and that batters are six and sevens when he tries to select his variations.
“Look at the pitch maps — most of his deliveries are around off-stump and middle-stump. Against right-handers, the ball just angles in slightly and then turns. His googly comes in sharply. Most of his wickets are from good length or just short of good length. Not even full deliveries. Even his so-called short balls are deceptive,” said Srikkanth.
“People don’t know what he’s bowling. Is it a googly? Is it the straight one? Is it slower? Is it quicker? No one knows. Suddenly he bowls one faster. Then he changes speed again. Multiple speeds. Long run-up, relaxed action — but incredibly deceptive. Frankly speaking, he doesn’t get enough credit. Bumrah is fantastic. You won’t easily find a bowler like Bumrah,” he added.
Srikkanth also backed Chakaravarthy to be named Player of the Tournament if India wins the World Cup. Interestingly, Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament in the last edition of the showpiece event in 2024, when India won the title under Rohit Sharma’s guidance.
“Hundred percent (he can be the Player Of The Tournament). Because of consistency. In every match he plays, even on a bad day, he gives away only 34 or 35 runs. For a spinner, four overs for 36 runs is absolutely acceptable in T20 cricket. But within that, he still takes one or two wickets. He’s casually delivering match-winning performances. But he’s not celebrated enough,” said Srikkanth.
Varun, you are a modern-day great: Srikkanth
The former India selector alluded to Varun as a modern-day great in the format, claiming that he is performing similarly to Bumrah in T20Is a few years ago.
“Varun, you are a modern-day great. I’m telling you honestly from my heart — not because you’re Tamil, not because you’re from Tamil Nadu or Chennai. No. Purely because of ability. Every batter is struggling. They don’t know how to face him. They don’t know whether to defend. They don’t know whether to attack. They don’t know what to do against him. That’s exactly what Bumrah used to be a couple of years ago. Bumrah is still doing brilliantly,” said Srikkanth.
On the part of Bumrah in the ongoing world cup, the 32 year old has four wickets out of three matches at a 13.50 average and an economy rate of 6.
Needless to say, both Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy will need to be instrumental in the further Super 8s games the competition will not weaken any further.
