New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner dismissed a suggestion that the Kiwis have a psychological edge over India in the T20 World Cup 2026 final owing to Varun Chakaravarthy’s poor form. Stating that the leg-spinner is only one game away from returning to form, the Black Caps skipper added that they would bank on their experience of having faced him in the build-up to the T20 World Cup.
For the record, India will take on New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8. The Kiwis thumped South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final in Kolkata, while the Men in Blue got the better of England by 7 runs in the second semi-final in Mumbai. The bowling form of Chakaravarthy is a huge concern for the defending champions heading into Sunday’s final.
Mitchell Santner’s Comments on Varun Chakaravarthy
Speaking to a pre-match press conference ahead of the big clash, Santner felt that Varun’s struggle is not a huge advantage for his side due to the experience he brings to the table. Mitchell Santner said: “No, I don’t think so. We’ve all seen how good he is and I think the challenge of any bowler is when it is flat. When it’s spinning and when it’s seaming, it’s obviously a challenge for every batter. But when it is flat, what does that look like? And I think, everyone goes for 60 on their day. For Varun, he’s got to know that he’s still a very good bowler, and he’s only one game away from changing the tide.”Â
Speaking on how New Zealand will tackle the Varun Chakaravarthy challenge in the final, Mitchell Santner replied: “I try to tell our group that, throughout that India series, it was obviously a challenge, but it was a good learning. It doesn’t get any harder than that. So, I think you can bank on experience from there going into a game like that tomorrow.”
In three T20Is during the series against the Kiwis earlier this year, Chakaravarthy claimed 4 wickets at an average of 27 and an economy of nine.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s Performance in T20 World Cup 2026
Varun Chakaravarthy has had a disastrous T20 World Cup 2026 to say the least. In 8 matches so far in the T20 World Cup 2026, Varun Chakaravarthy has picked up 13 wickets at an average of 19.07 and an economy rate of 8.85. The 34-year-old was impressive in the group stage, claiming 3/7 against Namibia, 2/17 against Pakistan and 3/14 against the Netherlands.
Since the start of the Super 8 round, though, the Indian leg-spinner seems to have lost his sting. He registered figures of 1/47 against South Africa and 1/40 against the West Indies. In the semi-final against England, Chakaravarthy conceded 64 runs in 4 overs.
Varun Chakaravarthy To Be Dropped?
There are many murmurs going around about his place in the side and whether he is still the right man to deliver for India in the final. The voices have grown louder after the last performance against England, where Varun looked down and out and not confidence also. Varun maybe the best T20I bowler in the world but he is woefully out of form as we speak.
If the selectors and team management has the guts and braveness, then one feels that Varun will be dropped and Kuldeep Yadav comes back in, Kuldeep has not played since the 15th February match in Colombo. But the way Varun is bowling right now, Kuldeep will do a better job than Varun one feels. But knowing that this is a big game, India might go in with same side that played in Mumbai.
If that’s the case, then Varun will play and has to step up for India to do well. If he does have another ordinary day, then the trophy will slip out of India’s grasp. It will be interesting to find out at toss who gets picked between Varun Kuldeep in the end.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: India & New Zealand Aims To Create History In Summit Clash.