ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Jasprit Bumrah And Varun Chakravarthy Will Be Important In Powerplay Overs For India, Reckons Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir believes that Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy will be effective for the Indian team in powerplay overs of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

India are paired in Group 2 of the Super 12 stage along with Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and two more teams yet to be qualified.

India will be led by Virat Kohli, who has decided to step down as the T20I skipper of the team after the completion of the T20 World Cup.

First six overs are going to be very important: Gautam Gambhir

As of now, the squad includes four pacers, excluding Hardik Pandya who is uncertain to bowl, and as many spin bowlers.

Jasprit Bumrah is likely to spearhead the Indian bowling attack in the mega event in UAE.

Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy had a great season in the UAE leg as he ended up with 18 scalsps from 17 games.

Despite Mumbai Indians couldn’t amke it to the playoffs, Bumrah bagged 21 wickets, the third highest behind Avesh Khan (24) and Harshal Patel (32).

Gambhir thinks Chakravarthy could be India’s first-choice spinner and alongside Bumrah he could create an impact in the powerplay overs.

“The first six overs are going to be very important if the wickets keep on getting slower. When you are playing against Pakistan or New Zealand, they will look to make as many runs as possible in the first six overs. So, Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy will be very important, it will depend on who is the second spinner being played,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.

You can use Varun Chakravarthy differently if Rahul Chahar plays: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir also reckoned that Chakravarthy could open the bowling for India if Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Rahul Chahar also plays in the team as the second spinner.

“It depends on the situation. You also have to see who will play along with him. Will you go with three spinners, will you go with the leg-spinner in Rahul Chahar because you can use Varun Chakravarthy differently if Rahul Chahar plays as you will have a wicket-taking option in the middle overs as well,” Gambhir said.

“You can start with him with the new ball as well, depending on whom you are playing against. He has bowled well in the first six overs and at the death as well. He obviously has the ability to take wickets in the middle overs,” he added.

India will kick of their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Also Read: India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup: Don’t Think Pakistan Will Pose That Much Of A Challenge, Says Ajit Agarkar