Kuldeep Yadav is expected to step in for Varun Chakravarthy in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand, following Chakravarthy’s poor performance.
Kuldeep Yadav likely to replace Varun Chakravarthy in T20 World Cup final
Kuldeep Yadav is poised to take Varun Chakravarthy’s place in India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on March 8, 2026, following Chakravarthy’s disappointing performance in recent matches.
Chakravarthy has struggled significantly, conceding runs at an alarming rate of over 12 per over in his last four outings, with an average of 46.25 runs conceded. His last match saw him give away 64 runs in just four overs, prompting concerns about his effectiveness in the high-stakes final.
In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav has shown promise, having taken four wickets in India’s previous T20 series against New Zealand. He has played only one match in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he claimed 1 wicket for 14 runs against Pakistan.
With a total of 95 wickets in 54 T20Is, Kuldeep’s experience could be crucial against New Zealand’s formidable opening duo, who have amassed 463 runs in the tournament. His inclusion is viewed as a high-risk-high-reward strategy that could pay off in the final.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has hinted at maintaining the winning combination, yet the team’s recent performance may necessitate changes. “There is nothing to worry about. We won the match (against England) eventually, and that happens when everyone is putting in collective effort,” he stated.
Former players have also weighed in on the situation. Sunil Gavaskar noted, “The moment the batters start going after him, Varun switches to bowling medium pace,” while Ravichandran Ashwin remarked, “Every time he gets attacked upfront, the confidence goes down further.” These comments highlight the challenges Chakravarthy has faced.
Additionally, Abhishek Sharma’s position in the playing XI remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the team’s final lineup.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding whether the Indian team management will indeed make the change to the playing XI before the final. The decision will likely hinge on the latest assessments of player performance and fitness as the match approaches.
