'Bring in Kuldeep Yadav' - Former captain wants India to bench Varun Chakravarthy in T20 World Cup 2026 final

As the Indian team prepares for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand, a crucial alteration to the squad's bowling lineup appears to be under consideration. A recent practice session saw left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav actively participating in the nets before mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, hinting at a potential tactical change for the highly anticipated summit clash.

The final is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The debate surrounding Chakravarthy's place in the team has gained significant traction, especially given his recent performance dip after the group stages. He has managed to secure only four wickets in the subsequent games, which include three Super 8 matches and the semi-final in Mumbai, while maintaining an expensive economy rate of 11.63.

Chakravarthy’s struggles culminated in his worst T20 figures during the semi-final, where he conceded 64 runs from his four overs against an aggressive England side chasing a daunting target of 254. Typically, Chakravarthy is among the first to bowl in India's net sessions; however, the recent practice saw him take a backseat as Kuldeep Yadav diligently toiled, further fueling speculation about a potential switch.

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has voiced his strong opinion, advocating for Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in place of the struggling Tamil Nadu spinner. Gavaskar remarked that Chakravarthy's confidence seems "shattered" after facing stronger opponents in the Super Eight stage and consequently giving away too many runs. He emphasized Kuldeep Yadav's potential effectiveness at the Narendra Modi Stadium, citing its large boundaries and Kuldeep's ability to extract turn even on flat surfaces.

Kuldeep Yadav's sole appearance in the tournament against Pakistan yielded respectable figures of 1/14 from three overs, underscoring his capability. If this speculated change is implemented, it could prove to be a pivotal decision for India as they vie for the T20 World Cup trophy.