“Surya needs to help Varun” - Irfan Pathan backs Varun Chakravarthy ahead of final

Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has backed the under-performing Varun Chakravarthy to come out well in the much-anticipated grand finale against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan has stated that Suryakumar Yadav’s role in helping Varun would be a huge factor in the grand finale, adding that he shouldn’t be given the last over of the powerplay since he hasn’t been showing good signs of form.

“And if he (Varun) plays and is part of the playing XI, because the Indian team will also think about Kuldeep Yadav, one thing is certain. Despite so much criticism, he is still our highest wicket-taker. He has 13 wickets. Yes, and his economy rate has gone above 10. Earlier, it was under six in the initial matches. So there has definitely been a difference in his bowling,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

“But I believe Suryakumar Yadav, as captain, needs to help Varun Chakaravarthy get back into form. Of course, in a final you usually do not think about such things because a final is a different kind of contest. But even in the semi final, I felt that giving him the sixth over was not the right move. Generally, Surya and Gautam Gambhir are very good tactically, but the sixth over is a high-pressure over in the powerplay. That over should not have been given to him. You cannot give that over to a bowler who is not in form and is still searching for rhythm. When a bowler is trying to find form, you should give him the seventh over, or bring him on after a wicket falls so that he can bowl with some confidence,” he added.

Furthermore, the former all-rounder admitted that if the mystery spinner is mentally in a good place, he should be backed in the playing XI since he is India’s leading wicket-taker in the campaign with 13 wickets from eight innings. 

“The key factor will also be how mentally switched on he is. If he is mentally in a good place, then the team should back him because he is still our highest wicket taker. However, if he is not mentally very strong and the coaches and captain feel that through their conversations with him, then the Indian team might think about Kuldeep Yadav. Even then, personally, I would still back Varun,” he added.

“The captain’s role will become very important for Varun Chakaravarthy. It will depend on when Suryakumar decides to use him. I believe that if his first over goes well, if not many runs are conceded, and maybe even a wicket comes, then Varun will gain confidence and carry that forward. But using him at the right moment will be very important. We will have to see how the Indian team manages him,” he concluded.

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