India could leave varun chakaravarthy out of the playing XI for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, handing Kuldeep Yadav a place and changing the team’s spin balance for the title match. March 7 at 11: 20 a. m. ET, Sunil Gavaskar urged selectors to consider the swap ahead of Sunday’s final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s Super Eight economy (11. 62) raises selection questions
The immediate consequence of Gavaskar’s suggestion would be a reshaped bowling plan: Varun Chakravarthy’s Super Eight economy rate of 11. 62 has put pressure on his place, and replacing him with Kuldeep Yadav would give India a left-arm wrist-spinner option better suited to turning the ball on flatter tracks. Since the Super Eight stage, Varun returned figures including 1/47 against South Africa, 1/35 against Zimbabwe and 1/40 against West Indies, and he conceded 64 runs in four overs in the semi-final — an outing highlighted by Jacob Bethell striking 42 runs off 13 balls against the mystery spinner.
Gavaskar presses for Kuldeep Yadav in Ahmedabad final, citing boundaries and wrist-spin
Gavaskar said Kuldeep Yadav could be preferred at a ground with big boundaries because he can turn the ball even on flat surfaces, making him a tactical alternative to Varun Chakravarthy. The former India captain added that Varun’s confidence appears shaken and that the team’s think tank — led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav — should take a decisive call ahead of the title clash.
Abhishek Sharma’s form forces lineup rethink; Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh suggested
Separately, Gavaskar recommended a batting reshuffle that would affect the top order: Abhishek Sharma’s tournament returns — scores of 0, 0, 0, 15, 55, 10 and 9 for a total of 89 runs at an average of 12. 71 — and four dismissals by spinners have prompted Gavaskar to urge promoting Ishan Kishan to open alongside Sanju Samson and bringing Rinku Singh into the XI in place of Abhishek. In the semi-final, Abhishek managed nine runs off seven balls before being dismissed by Will Jacks, a performance Gavaskar cited when calling for change.
Still, bowling coach Morne Morkel had publicly backed Varun Chakravarthy ahead of the semi-final, leaving selectors with a choice between sticking with a backed but out-of-form spinner or responding to Gavaskar’s call for Kuldeep. That decision would directly alter match-up planning against New Zealand’s batters in the final.
Yet, replacing Varun Chakravarthy with Kuldeep Yadav would also change how India manages the powerplay and middle overs; Kuldeep’s wrist-spin gives a different line and variation, while Varun has been used as a mystery-spinner option despite recent expensive spells.
Gavaskar also proposed a batting tweak to counter repeated failures against spin in the powerplay—an adjustment aimed at reducing reliance on Abhishek in the top four and increasing the presence of players he says possess more belief in match-winning moments.
Selections now hinge on a final decision by India’s management before the toss for the final. The T20 World Cup final is set for Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (local time) and the precise start time is unconfirmed as of 11: 20 a. m. ET. If the selectors act on Gavaskar’s advice before the toss, Kuldeep Yadav would be in the playing XI and varun chakaravarthy would be left out by the start of the match.
