Varun Chakravarthy is what Jasprit Bumrah used to be a couple of years back: Kris Srikkanth

Former Indian selector and commentator Kris Srikkanth has heaped praise on the mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy for his exceptional bowling efforts in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth pointed out how the Mumbai media celebrates its performers loudly, while Varun, who hails from Tamil Nadu, doesn’t get enough recognition despite putting up match-winning performances.

"If he was from Mumbai, he would have been celebrated way more. The Mumbai media is a thing where if someone performs, they celebrate him wildly. Here, Varun just comes in and bowls quietly. No one hypes him and talks about him. People have not decoded him at all. For a spinner, he has a long run-up and bowls effortlessly," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

"No one gives much credit to Varun Chakaravarthy. Bumrah is fantastic. You won't get a bowler like Bumrah. But Varun Chakaravarthy doesn't get the credit. Though Dube played an amazing innings, why couldn't he have been a contender for the Man of the Match? Nobody thought of it. Dube only deserved the award, but as a bowler, 3/14 with all top-order wickets, Varun should be a contender for the Man of the Match. They hardly give the award to bowlers," he added.

Furthermore, Srikkanth also went on to predict Varun as a front-runner for the Player of the Tournament award, adding that Varun is what Bumrah used to be a couple of years ago in the shortest format of the game.

"He is the leader for the Player of the Tournament. Even if he gets hit, he gives away a maximum of 35 runs. And he takes a wicket or two in that, even then. But nobody gives him his actual due. He's a modern-day great in the T20 format and has to be celebrated that way, which no one does. Nobody is able to play against him or even defend him. He is what Bumrah used to be a couple of years back. Bumrah is not at his peak now, though in this match, he returned to it," he concluded.

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