Kuldeep yadav set to replace Varun Chakravarthy in T20 World Cup final

Kuldeep yadav set to replace Varun Chakravarthy in T20 World Cup final

Kuldeep Yadav set to replace Varun Chakravarthy in T20 World Cup final

Kuldeep Yadav is likely to replace Varun Chakravarthy in India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on March 8, 2026. This decision comes after Chakravarthy’s recent struggles, having conceded runs at over 12 per over in his last four matches.

Chakravarthy’s performance has been under scrutiny, with an average of 46.25 runs conceded in those outings. His last match figures were particularly concerning, as he allowed 64 runs against England. In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav has shown promise, taking four wickets in India’s previous T20 series against New Zealand.

Despite having played only one match in the T20 World Cup 2026, against Pakistan, Kuldeep has amassed a total of 95 wickets in 54 T20 internationals. His ability to take wickets could be crucial in the high-stakes final, which is a winner-takes-all contest.

India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has hinted at maintaining a winning combination, stating, “There is nothing to worry about. We won the match (against England) eventually, and that happens when everyone is putting in collective effort.” However, the team may need to make adjustments based on Chakravarthy’s recent form.

Sunil Gavaskar noted that Chakravarthy tends to switch to medium pace when batters start attacking him, which may indicate a lack of confidence. Ravichandran Ashwin echoed this sentiment, stating, “Every time he gets attacked upfront, the confidence goes down further.” This highlights the pressure on Chakravarthy as the final approaches.

As the match day nears, observers are keenly watching how the Indian team will finalize its lineup. Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion could provide a much-needed boost to the bowling attack, especially given his track record in previous matches.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final decision, but the potential shift in the lineup underscores the team’s commitment to securing victory in the championship match.