Kuldeep yadav likely to replace varun chakravarthy in T20 World Cup final

By Vikram Nair / 08.03.2026

Kuldeep Yadav Likely to Replace Varun Chakravarthy in T20 World Cup Final

Kuldeep Yadav is set to replace Varun Chakravarthy in India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on March 8, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This decision comes as Chakravarthy has struggled with his performance, conceding runs at an alarming rate of over 12 per over in his last four matches.

Chakravarthy’s recent form has been concerning, with an average of 46.25 runs conceded across those matches, including a disappointing last outing where he recorded figures of 1/64 against England. In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav has shown promise, having taken four wickets in India’s previous T20 series against New Zealand.

Despite having played only one match in the T20 World Cup 2026, Kuldeep has accumulated a total of 95 wickets in 54 T20 internationals, showcasing his capability as a key player in the squad.

India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has hinted at maintaining a winning combination, but the need for a change due to Chakravarthy’s form appears to be a decisive factor. Yadav stated, “There is nothing to worry about. We won the match (against England) eventually, and that happens when everyone is putting in collective effort.”

Former cricketer Munaf Patel emphasized the importance of experience in such high-stakes matches, echoing Suryakumar’s sentiment that experience will matter significantly in the final. Additionally, Ravichandran Ashwin advised against certain bowling tactics, indicating the strategic adjustments needed for success.

Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that Chakravarthy’s tendency to switch to medium pace when batters attack him has not helped his case, further highlighting the necessity for a change in the lineup.

As the final approaches, observers are keen to see if Kuldeep Yadav can capitalize on this opportunity and contribute significantly to India’s quest for the T20 World Cup title. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineup, but the shift appears imminent.