T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Is Varun Chakaravarthy more lethal for India than Bumrah?’ Former India opener reacts

Kris Srikkanth agreed that Varun Chakaravarthy is more lethal than Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian team at the moment. The former India opener added that Chakaravarthy isn’t celebrated as much despite performing remarkably well in the shortest format.

Varun has picked up nine wickets in four matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 at a mind-boggling average of 6.88 and an equally impressive economy rate of 5.16. Against the Netherlands, the spinner ended with figures of three for 14 in three overs. Had he not picked up those crucial wickets, India’s winning streak in the tournament could have come to an end.

In the 21 matches that Varun and Bumrah have played together so far, the mystery spinner has outperformed the talismanic pacer when it comes to wickets taken, with a scoreline of 30-22. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said that Varun doesn’t get the adulation he deserves and feels that the batters are at sixes and sevens while trying to pick 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 the Player of the Tournament if India go on to win the World Cup. Interestingly, Bumrah was the Player of the Tournament in the previous edition of the marquee event in 2024 when India won the title under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.

“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 referred to Varun as a modern-day great in the format and claimed that he is doing what Bumrah used to do in T20Is a couple of 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.

Coming to Bumrah’s performance in the ongoing World Cup, the 32-year-old has four wickets from three matches at an average of 13.50 and an economy rate of 6.

It goes without saying that both Bumrah and Chakaravarthy will have to play key roles in the matches to come in the Super 8s, with the competition only getting tougher from here on.