India spinner Varun Chakravarthy says his T20 World Cup preparation is centred around backing his lengths, maintaining confidence and constantly challenging himself mentally even in matches that appear straightforward.
India faces Zimbabwe in a crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match, needing a big win to improve their net run rate after a heavy loss to South Africa. The team needs to address issues in the top order and consider strategic changes to the batting lineup.
India opener Abhishek Sharma's availability for Thursday's match against Namibia is uncertain because of a stomach bug.
Just hours after being named to India's Champions Trophy squad, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been sidelined with a calf injury.
The United States, boosted by a win over the Netherlands, will face Namibia in a crucial Group A match, needing a victory to keep their Super Eight hopes alive in the T20 World Cup.
His last stint with the Indian team in the UAE, during the 2021 T20 World Cup, was one to forget, but four years later, he has redeemed himself to become an invaluable asset for the Indian cricket team.
Except in the IPL, the Australians have not had a good look at Varun Chakravarthy's bowling and that could spell trouble for Steve Smith and Co.
Against Namibia on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Hardik delivered a clinical all-round performance, scoring a brilliant half-century and taking two wickets as India cruised to a commanding 93-run victory.
India begins their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA, aiming to leverage their strong team composition and recent form to secure a victory.
India's ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Thursday said his preparation ahead of any major tournament is akin to army-camp-style training, incorporating rigorous physical activities and discipline to help him perform at his peak for the country.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for India's World Cup title defence in less than three weeks' time.
Sanju Samson scored a clinical 97 off 50 balls to guide India to a five-wicket win over West Indies in Kolkata and book a place in the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final.
Axar Patel's tactical brilliance and key strikes, including Usman Khan and Babar Azam, proved decisive in India's win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Indian mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has extended his lead at the top of the ICC Men's T20I Bowler Rankings, climbing to a new career-high rating.
Indian cricketers welcomed 2026 with warmth, gratitude and loved ones by their side.
A shortened game will be like a sprint where the risk element will be high. Who will win when emotion meets execution remains to be seen. K R Nayar reports from Colombo.
Sanju Samson seeks revival with home support as India manage injuries and combinations against New Zealand in the final T20I before the World Cup.
Ishan Kishan's thrill-a-second maiden T20I hundred compensated for Sanju Samson's familiar failure, and the knock in conjunction with Arshdeep Singh's fifer scripted India's 46-run romp over New Zealand in the fifth and final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
Former captain Rohit Sharma highlighted Arshdeep Singh's effectiveness with the new ball and in the death overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin's tactical foresight proved spot on as mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy dismissed the dangerous Travis Head early in India's Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia.
Ever since he has come back into the Indian team last year in October last year, Varun Chakravarthy has proved to be unstoppable, picking up 27 wickets in 10 matches
Super Kishan, Bumrah-led bowlers give India thumping 61-run win over Pakistan
In this rivalry, numbers fade and national pride takes centre stage.
Abhishek Sharma's pyrotechnics followed a now familiar script with India out-batting New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20 International in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
'...I had to be disciplined, just stick to the basics'
India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav believes spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been a different player since his comeback to international cricket last year.
Defending champions India have unveiled a well-rounded 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup
India spinner Varun Chakravarthy was on Thursday named the captain of Tamil Nadu for this seasons' national T20 tournament for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, beginning on November 26.
Defending champions India look to do something they have never done in World Cups and retain the trophy.
Varun Chakravarthy is the second oldest debutant for India in One-Day Internationals after Farokh Engineer.
'We'll be putting our thinking caps on how to nullify that threat while still scoring runs against him.'
Ravichandran Ashwin says Suryakumar Yadav's cameo in the opening T20I was a key World Cup boost, while backing India's World Cup combination and calling Arshdeep Singh a marquee bowler.
Samson tried to whip Donovan Ferreira down the ground but the ball hit umpire Rohan Pandit on the shin and he required medical assistance before he was able to continue.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav dazzled with a vital half-century as defending champions India registered a scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse.
Sunil Narine was the pick of the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers, snapping three wickets and conceding just 13 runs in his spell of four overs. He did well with the bat too, scoring 44 runs from 18 balls, which included five maximums and two boundaries.
Varun Chakravarthy, a key player for both the Indian team and the Kolkata Knight Riders, emphasizes the importance of consistency and reveals he is working on new variations to his spin bowling.
New Zealand are not dwelling on the T20 World Cup, which is still a month away, and are instead focused on the immediate challenge of facing the Indian bowlers in the upcoming white-ball series, batter Daryl Mitchell said on Wednesday.
Adjudged the Man of the Match for his figures of 5 for 24, Chakravarthy said he is happy with the way he is bowling currently.
Mystery spinner bowls in nets as India prep for three-match ODI series vs England.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances