Former Captain Kris Srikkanth Declares Varun Chakravarthy India's Most Dangerous Weapon
Former India captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has made a bold declaration about mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, backing him as India's most dangerous weapon at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. In a surprising assessment, Srikkanth suggested that the enigmatic spinner is proving even more lethal than pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the tournament.
Statistical Dominance and Match-Winning Performances
Varun Chakravarthy has been in exceptional form throughout the competition, claiming an impressive nine wickets in just four matches. His remarkable statistics include an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 5.16, making him one of the tournament's most economical bowlers. In India's recent game against the Netherlands, he delivered outstanding figures of three wickets for just 14 runs from his three overs.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth expressed astonishment that Varun isn't receiving the recognition his performances deserve. "Frankly speaking, he doesn't get enough credit. Bumrah is fantastic. You won't easily find a bowler like Bumrah," said Srikkanth, while emphasizing Varun's superior impact in recent matches.
Head-to-Head Comparison with Bumrah
The statistics reveal a compelling narrative when comparing Varun's performances with Bumrah's. In the 21 matches where both bowlers have featured together for India, the spinner leads the wicket tally decisively with 30 wickets compared to Bumrah's 22. This head-to-head comparison underscores Varun's growing influence in crucial matches.
Srikkanth elaborated on why batters are struggling against Varun's 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."
The Mystery Element That Baffles Batters
The former captain highlighted the complete mystery surrounding Varun's bowling that leaves batters clueless. "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," Srikkanth explained.
This unpredictability has made Varun particularly effective against top-order batters, with Srikkanth noting that even his so-called short deliveries are deceptive and difficult to read.
Overlooked for Awards Despite Match-Winning Contributions
Srikkanth pointed out a significant oversight in recognition following India's match against the Netherlands. Although all-rounder Shivam Dube was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting performance, Srikkanth felt Varun was equally deserving of consideration.
"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," he questioned.
Remarkable Career Resurgence and Consistency
Varun Chakravarthy has experienced a remarkable resurgence after an underwhelming start to his international career. Since making his comeback, he has taken 47 wickets in just 27 matches across 2024 and 2025. His 2026 form has been particularly impressive, with 13 wickets already from seven games.
Srikkanth believes this consistency could make Varun a strong contender for Player of the Tournament if India lifts the T20 World Cup trophy. "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," Srikkanth analyzed.
Modern-Day Great in T20 Cricket
The former chief selector went a step further in his praise, calling Varun a modern-day great in the T20 format and comparing his current impact to what Bumrah delivered in T20 Internationals 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," Srikkanth declared.
He added: "That's exactly what Bumrah used to be a couple of years ago. Bumrah is still doing brilliantly, but Varun's current impact is at that same elite level."
Casual Match-Winner Deserving More Celebration
Srikkanth emphasized that Varun delivers match-winning performances with apparent ease but doesn't receive adequate celebration for his contributions. "He's casually delivering match-winning performances. But he's not celebrated enough," the former captain lamented, highlighting the disparity between performance and recognition.
Varun Chakravarthy will next feature in India's crucial Super 8 encounter against South Africa on Sunday, February 22, where his mystery spin will be tested against one of the tournament's strongest batting lineups.
