Team India look to use Varun Chakravarthy as trump card for crunch games in T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup | The Super 12 matches of the T20 World Cup will start from Saturday and all eyes will once again be on the match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Before this match, the eyes of the team management are on mystery spinner Varun Chakraborty and all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Chakraborty's knee is a matter of concern for the medical staff while the medical team wants Hardik to bowl in the upcoming matches as well. Sources familiar with the matter told ANI that the team management is in constant touch with the medical staff. Sources have said that the medical staff has decided to use Chakraborty as a trump card in important matches of the T20 World Cup.

"There is no doubt that he is a match-winning bowler in this format and the leadership group is well aware of what four overs can mean in big tournaments like the T20 World Cup," the source said. The medical team is working closely with him and Varun will be used in crucial encounters. He is a trump card and Virat Kohli and the team management can use him as such.

Asked if this means he can be included in the playing XI only in a do or die match, the source said, "Yes- that's the thinking. The team wants to use them as much as possible, but it is also true that their knee is not 100% correct and that is why they will be used according to the demand in the tournament. In a way, they can be fed only in a do or die match. In such a situation, mentor MS Dhoni and coach Ravi Shastri can give advice to captain Virat Kohli.

30-year-old mystery spinner Varun Chakraborty had a stellar performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021. He also played in the practice match against Australia, but could not leave much impact. Varun took 18 wickets in 17 matches for Kolkata in IPL 2021.