T20 World Cup: Varun Chakravarthy vs Usman Tariq? Spin to play major role in India-Pakistan clash

The surface at the R Premadasa Stadium has brought spin into focus ahead of Sunday’s India-Pakistan clash, especially after Zimbabwe’s bowlers used variations to beat Australia in the previous match. Conditions at the venue, also known as Khettarama, could once again shape the contest.

On a slow, newly prepared pitch, Zimbabwe’s pacers relied on change of pace to restrict Australia and defend 169, winning by 23 runs. That performance has raised interest around how spinners from both sides could operate on a similar track.




India’s Varun Chakravarthy, along with Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq, are expected to play key roles in the high-stakes India-Pakistan match.

Chakravarthy adjusted his method during last year’s Indian Premier League, moving from sidespin to overspin, focusing more on angles than sharp turn. He also bowls quicker than many spinners, averaging around 95 kmph, though the surface here may require a reduction in pace.

"At such speeds and angles, length is more important. Varun has an ideal length. It’s neither too short nor too full, so the batsmen cannot hang back comfortably and pull or come out confidently to play those big shots. He can create a lot of doubts in batsmen’s mind with his lengths," former India spinner Sunil Joshi explained, as cited by news agency PTI.

Chakravarthy’s approach could test Babar Azam, who now bats at No. 4. Babar has often taken time to settle in T20 cricket, including in the previous game against USA where he took 20 balls to hit his first six. Against a bowler who rarely offers loose deliveries, that approach may come under pressure.

Pakistan, however, have an option in Usman Tariq, whose pause-and-release action has drawn attention. His method has been compared in style to former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga because of the sling-like release.

“His action, the primary attraction of his bowling, allows him to keep the ball below the batsmen’s eye line. So, it’s not easy to hit him, it is almost like you are dealing with yorkers every ball.

"But more than that, Tariq is a mature person, who understands his game and reads the batsmen well. He has come through some struggles. The whole action and mystery just add to his personality,” Nabeel Hashmi, General Manager of Quetta Gladiators, Tariq’s Pakistan Super League team, was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Abrar Ahmed has faced Indian batters before, but the surface could still aid his style. He depends largely on googlies and carrom balls, with 34 of his 49 T20I wickets coming from those variations. Rather than looping the ball, he targets the stumps and relies on accuracy to create pressure.

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