‘You are the X-factor, trust yourself’: Axar Patel backs Varun Chakravarthy ahead of T20 World Cup final

NEW DELHI: Even as questions grow over his form, India continue to view Varun Chakravarthy as their potential match-winner — the “X-factor” who could still turn the T20 World Cup final in their favour.

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The mystery spinner endured a difficult outing in India’s dramatic seven-run semifinal win over England at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, conceding 64 runs in four overs. Yet the team management and senior teammates remain firmly behind him ahead of the title clash against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday.




India vice-captain Axar Patel revealed that the team has had conversations with Chakravarthy about staying mentally strong and sticking to his plans, even when things are not going his way.

“We have talked about it,” Axar said after the match. “We have played a lot of knockout games and in these moments mindset becomes very important. Yes, there is skill and all, but when you go for runs, don’t change your plan even if the batter is targeting you.”

Axar stressed that confidence remains key for the world’s top-ranked T20 bowler.

“You have a plan to put it in the stumps first, and then suddenly you change the line. Yes, there could be mistakes in pressure situations. We keep telling him, ‘You are the X-factor, trust yourself.’ When it comes to the ball, it is all about confidence,” he added.

Chakravarthy’s struggles were most visible when England’s Jacob Bethell launched an aggressive assault, smashing three sixes in the spinner’s opening over and taking 42 runs off just 13 balls faced against him during his blistering century.

Despite the hammering, Axar pointed out that Chakravarthy still managed a crucial wicket.

“If you look at it, even after being hit for a few sixes, he got the wicket of Jos Buttler. He is the number one T20 bowler, he knows what he is doing. It is a matter of mindset,” Axar said.

With one match left in the tournament, Axar believes Chakravarthy could yet script a dramatic turnaround.

“We have one more match,” he said. “Maybe he will give a match-winning performance in the final.”


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