Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has backed Varun Chakravarthy as India’s most dangerous weapon at the moment and even hinted that the mystery spinner could prove to be more lethal than Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup. Srikanth also expressed surprise that Varun did not get due recognition.
Varun is in excellent form, taking nine wickets in four games with an average of 6.88 and an economy rate of 5.16. In India’s match against the Netherlands, he made 3 of 14 shots in three rounds and played excellent statistics.
Interestingly, in the 21 matches that Varun and Bumrah have played together, the spinner has taken wickets 30-22 ahead. Srikanth said on his YouTube channel that batsmen are still unable to decipher Varun’s changes.
“Look at the pitch map – most of his deliveries are outside the stumps and in the middle of the stumps. Against right-handers, the ball just slants a little and then turns. His balls come hard. Most of his wickets are from good length or just short of good length. Not even a full delivery. Even his so-called short balls are deceiving.”
“People didn’t know what kind of bowling he was bowling. Is it a bowler or a straighter? Is it slower or faster? No one knows. Suddenly he’s bowling faster. Then he changes pace again. Multiple speeds. Long run-up, relaxed action – but incredibly deceptive.”
“Frankly, he doesn’t get enough recognition. Bumrah is fantastic. You don’t find bowlers like Bumrah easily,” Srikkanth said.
Although Shivam Dube was named man of the match against Netherlands, Srikkanth feels Varun was equally deserving.
“Yes, today, Shivam Dube played a dazzling game and deserved to be the Man of the Match. I am not denying that. But if you look at Varun’s numbers – three wickets with few runs, all top-order wickets – why is he not considered a Man of the Match contender? No one even thought of that,” he said.
Varun made a comeback after a lackluster start to his international career, taking 47 wickets in 27 games in 2024 and 2025. In 2026 alone, he has taken 13 wickets in 7 games. Srikanth believes Varun is likely to be the best player of the tournament if India lift the trophy.
“One hundred per cent (he can be the player of the tournament). Because of the consistency. In every game he plays, even on a bad day, he only concedes 34 or 35 runs. For a spinner, 36 runs in four overs is absolutely acceptable in T20 cricket. But within that range, he will still take one or two wickets.”
“He gives in casually with game-winning performances. But he doesn’t get enough celebrations,” Srikanth said.
The former chief selector went a step further and called Varun a great figure in the modern format and compared his current impact with Bumrah’s in T20Is a few years ago.
“Varun, you are a modern great. I tell you this honestly from the bottom of my heart – not because you are Tamil, not because you are from Tamil Nadu or Chennai. No. Purely because of ability. Every batsman 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 how to deal with him.”
“This is exactly what Bumrah was a few years ago. Bumrah is still doing well,” Srikkanth said.
Varun will feature in India’s Super 8 match against South Africa on Sunday, February 22.
