T20 World Cup 2026: Aakash Chopra questions Varun Chakravarthy’s incomplete spell
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the decision of the Indian team management and asked why Varun Chakravarthy is not bowling the full quota of 4 overs during the T20 World Cup 2026. He even surprised the Indian team management with this decision. His statement came after the India vs. Netherlands group stage match at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on February 18, where he delivered only 3 overs. He took 3 wickets and conceded only 14 runs.
In this match, the Netherlands got a good start while chasing 194. Openers Michael Levitt and Max’O Dowd added 35 runs for the first wicket. Indian pacers went economical but didn’t provide an early breakthrough. In this situation, Varun came and dismissed Max’O Dowd. Following this, he also dismissed Colin Ackermann and Aryan Dutt in two consecutive balls.
So far, Chakravarthy bowled his full overs only against the United States of America. Following this, he bowled only 2 overs against Namibia and 3-3 overs against Pakistan and the Netherlands, respectively.
"Surprising that Varun isn’t finishing his quota of overs. Only once he’s bowled all 4. He would’ve taken at least one 5-fer if he was allowed to finish his quota. He is, and He will be the most important bowler along with Boom in the next round," Chopra wrote on his official 'X' (formerly Twitter) handle.
Surprising that Varun isn’t finishing his quota of overs. Only once he’s bowled all 4. He would’ve taken at least one 5-fer if he was allowed to finish his quota.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 18, 2026
He is and He Will be the most important bowler along with Boom in the next round. #IndvNed
So far, in this mega event, Varun Chakravarthy has taken 9 wickets in 4 matches, with an economy rate of 5.17. He is currently the second leading wicket taker of the tournament, after the United States of America’s Shadley van Schalkwyk, who took 13 wickets.
India has won all of their group stage matches and earned convincing victories over their rivals. After the group stage round, India is now going to the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 round, where they will face South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies. India will start their Super 8 campaign against South Africa on February 22 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Then, India will face Zimbabwe on February 26 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai and West Indies on March 1 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
