As someone who has covered cricket for over a decade, I’ve learned that big tournaments often test not just a player’s skill but also a team’s belief in its own members. On the eve of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, India captain Suryakumar Yadav made it clear that faith in teammates matters just as much as form. Speaking ahead of the summit clash against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Indian skipper publicly backed mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, even after a difficult run in the tournament’s latter stages.

Chakravarthy’s performances since the Super 8 stage have been far from ideal. Across his last four matches, the experienced spinner has managed just four wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate exceeding 11. His toughest outing came in the semi-final against England, where he recorded the most expensive spell of his T20I career. The 34-year-old conceded 64 runs in his four overs — the costliest figures ever recorded by an Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history.

Despite those numbers, Suryakumar refused to single out the spinner for criticism. Instead, the India captain highlighted the collective nature of cricket, emphasising that even elite players are allowed off days in a high-pressure tournament.

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“There is nothing to worry about. We won the match. It’s a team sport, and we focus on collective performances. We don’t think about individual performances when we win or lose,” Suryakumar Yadav said during the pre-match press conference. The Indian captain further explained that it is unrealistic to expect all eleven players to perform at their peak simultaneously. In his view, the strength of a successful team lies in covering for each other during difficult moments. “There are 11 players in the team. Everybody cannot have their best days together. One or two of them will have tough days. We look to cover for them on those days,” he added.

Suryakumar also reminded reporters that Chakravarthy still holds the No. 1 ranking among T20I bowlers, a testament to his quality and consistency over time. According to the skipper, the spinner’s experience and understanding of match situations make him a valuable asset, particularly in high-pressure encounters.

“But we are not worried about him at all. He is the world No. 1 bowler. He knows what to do, when to do it, and how to bowl against different opposition. He knows how to step forward and win matches for us,” Suryakumar Yadav said confidently.

When asked about potential changes to India’s Playing XI for the final, the captain remained deliberately vague, suggesting that the final call would only be revealed at the toss. Meanwhile, despite his recent struggles, Chakravarthy’s overall numbers in the tournament remain impressive. The spinner is still the joint-highest wicket-taker in the competition, claiming 13 wickets from eight matches at an average of 19.07. His standout performance came against Namibia, where he delivered a brilliant spell of 3/7.

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However, his recent form has sparked debate among fans and experts about whether Kuldeep Yadav could replace him in the final. Even so, such a bold change appears unlikely, with the Indian team management generally favoring continuity in major matches. While Chakravarthy’s form has raised questions, India have found a major positive in the resurgence of opener Sanju Samson. The Kerala batter has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, delivering match-winning knocks in India’s last two games.

Samson first produced a stunning innings against West Indies in India’s final Super Eight fixture at Eden Gardens, smashing 97 runs off just 50 balls. His explosive knock, which included 12 fours and four sixes, came at a remarkable strike rate of 194 and earned him the Player of the Match award.

He followed it up with another sensational performance in the semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium, blasting 89 off 42 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 211.90. The innings featured eight boundaries and seven towering sixes, once again earning him the Player of the Match honor.

So far in the T20 World Cup 2026, Samson has played four matches and accumulated 232 runs at a staggering strike rate of 201.73 and an impressive average of 77.33. Suryakumar credited Samson’s success not only to talent but also to his perseverance and hard work behind the scenes. According to the captain, the opener continued training intensely even during periods when he was not included in the playing XI.

“I saw how hard he worked when he was not playing. That was also very important. I think it’s the reward for how he has worked hard even when he did not get the chances,” Suryakumar Yadav said. The India skipper also explained how he and head coach Gautam Gambhir collaborate closely on team selection decisions, often making tough calls based on match conditions and strategic combinations.

During India’s previous bilateral series, the management identified the effectiveness of a left-right-left batting combination featuring Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan. That tactical balance, Suryakumar noted, helped disrupt bowling plans and create scoring opportunities. As India prepare for the biggest match of the tournament, the captain’s message is clear: trust the process, back the players, and focus on the collective goal of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.