“Varun Chakaravarthy could be that guy” - Aakash Chopra predicts Varun to stop in-form NZ batter

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has reckoned that Varun Chakravarthy would play a key role in dismissing an in-form batter like Glenn Phillips, who has a high batlift while playing against spinners.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Chopra reasoned that Varun should expose the gap between the bat and pads, which could result in a catch in the midwicket and long-on region.

"How to stop Glenn Phillips? His playing style is very different. The bat should be picked from around the second or third slip. If someone lifts his bat from point, the bat comes down across the line. This player's specialty is that, despite lifting the bat from so far out, he hits the spinners straight," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"You will see all three stumps when he bats. You will always see a big gap between the bat and the pads. What will be the way to get him out? I know he doesn't have form, but Varun Chakaravarthy could be that guy who bowls the ball full and brings it slightly in. Try to expose that gap, and he might get out in the midwicket and long-on region while trying to hit from there," he added.

Citing Sanju Samson’s example, Chopra asserted that New Zealand team should send in their batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell up the order, which could turn out to be a crucial factor in the much-awaited final.

"I am thinking whether the opposing team can send Daryl Mitchell slightly up the order. He was in incredible form in the ODI series. He was batting up the order and was getting a chance to bat long. However, as soon as the T20Is came, he was pushed down the order. He has been given a role where he has been marginalized. T20 cricket is a lot about where you play," he said.

"I will just give you an example. What was Sanju Samson doing when he was playing down the order? When you made Sanju Samson bat up the order, he struck three centuries, then an unbeaten 97, and an 89-run knock. Where you play is very important. Will Daryl Mitchell be pushed slightly up the order against India because he does very well against India in ICC events?" he observed.

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