In the wake of India’s 17-run victory over the Netherlands on February 18, 2026, a significant debate has emerged regarding the usage of mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
Cricket commentator Aakash Chopra ignited the discussion on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why Chakravarthy is rarely allowed to finish his full four-over quota.
The sentiment was quickly echoed by veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who backed the call with a firm “Couldn’t agree more bhaiya.”
The Stats: A “Mystery” Underutilized?
Despite being one of India’s most effective bowlers in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Chakravarthy’s overs have been managed curiously by the team management:
- Vs. Netherlands: Varun was the pick of the bowlers, dismantling the Dutch middle order with figures of 3/14 in just 3 overs.
- The “Quota” Issue: Chopra pointed out that Chakravarthy has completed his 4-over quota only once in the tournament so far.
- The Argument: Chopra suggested that had Varun bowled his fourth over in Ahmedabad, he likely would have secured a five-wicket haul. He emphasized that alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Varun is India’s most critical weapon for the upcoming Super 8 stage.
India’s Winning Streak
The victory in Ahmedabad marked a milestone for the Men in Blue:
- Unbeaten Run: India finished the group stage with a perfect 4-0 record, extending their overall T20I winning streak to 12 matches.
- Match Recap: India posted 193/6 (Shivam Dube 66, Suryakumar Yadav 34). In response, the Netherlands fought gallantly to reach 176/7, but Varun’s triple strike in the middle overs effectively broke the chase.
- Super 8 Bound: India now moves into Group 1 of the Super 8s, where they are scheduled to face South Africa in their opening clash on February 22 in Ahmedabad.