Varun Chakaravarthy has picked 9 wickets in four games in T20 World Cup 2026.
Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has weighed in on the debate on whether Varun Chakaravarthy is more lethal than Jasprit Bumrah. This has come after the spinner’s amazing performance for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 tournament.
Varun has nine wickets in four matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, with an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 5.16. Against the Netherlands, the spinner finished with 3/14 in three overs.
On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah has taken four wickets in three games at an economy of 6.00 and best bowling figures of 2/17.
Varun and Bumrah have played 21 matches together, and the spinner has taken more wickets than the pacer (30-22).
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth stated that Varun does not receive the recognition he deserves and that batters are still struggling to understand his game.
“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 a good length or just short of a good length. Not even full deliveries. Even his so-called short balls are deceptive.
People don’t know what he’s bowling for. 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,” Srikkanth stated on his YouTube channel.
“Frankly speaking, he doesn’t get enough credit. Bumrah is fantastic. You won’t easily find a bowler like Bumrah," said Srikkanth.
Srikkanth also stated that Varun was a contender for the Player of the Match against the Netherlands for his bowling, with the award actually going to Shivam Dube.
“Today, yes, Shivam Dube played a blinder and deserved Man of the Match. I’m not denying that. But if you look at Varun’s figures — three wickets for very few runs, all top-order wickets — why wasn’t he even considered a contender for Man of the Match? No one even thought about it,” said Srikkanth.
Varun Chakaravarthy, who made his India comeback in 2024 after three years in the wilderness, has been on a roll. Varun picked up a total of 47 wickets in 27 games over the course of 2024 and 2025. This year, he has 13 scalps to his name from seven games, and Srikkanth feels that if India wins the T20 World Cup 2026, he is a candidate to become the Player Of The Tournament.
A 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.
Srikkanth also hailed Varun as a modern-day great in the T20 format and stated that Varun 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.
Varun will be next in action during India's Super 8 clash against South Africa on Sunday, February 22.