Former India captain and head coach Anil Kumble has thrown his weight behind leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy as India’s go-to spin option for the upcoming T20 World Cup, highlighting his ability to cope better with dew-laden conditions than traditional wrist spinners. With the marquee tournament scheduled from February 7 to March 8 across venues in India and Sri Lanka, evening matches are expected to play a major role in shaping team combinations and bowling strategies.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Kumble pointed out that dew could be a decisive factor during the World Cup, especially in night games. While spinners are generally accustomed to bowling with a wet ball, Kumble believes Varun’s unique skill set gives him an edge in such challenging conditions.
“During February and March, when matches are played late in the evening, dew becomes a big factor. It’s never easy for spinners, but someone like Varun Chakaravarthy is less affected because of the grip he generates on the ball and the pace at which he bowls,” Anil Kumble explained.
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India’s spin department has been one of its biggest strengths in recent months, with Varun, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel all delivering consistent performances. However, Kumble singled out the Tamil Nadu leg-spinner as the most reliable option when conditions become tricky.
“I don’t think dew will bother Varun that much. It’s obviously different from bowling with a dry ball, but I don’t see him struggling significantly. Axar Patel should also manage well. The one bowler who might find it slightly more difficult is Kuldeep Yadav because of his wrist-spin action, although even he has experience bowling in such conditions,” he added.
Wrist spinners traditionally find it harder to maintain control with a wet ball, making Varun’s adaptability a valuable asset for India during the tournament.
India head into the T20 World Cup in excellent form, currently leading the five-match T20I series against New Zealand 3-0. Kumble believes this momentum, combined with squad depth and versatility, puts India in a strong position to defend their title—something no team has achieved in T20 World Cup history.
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“Winning back-to-back World Cups is extremely difficult in the T20 format. But given the form this team is in and the balance they have, India are well equipped to handle any situation. They should certainly reach the semi-finals, and from there, anything can happen,” Anil Kumble said.
He concluded by expressing strong belief in India’s chances, stating that the current squad has the potential to make history by lifting consecutive T20 World Cup titles.
