On Saturday, during Team India’s practice session at Eden Gardens, both Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy trained separately under the close supervision of head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel.
India’s heavy defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad, followed by Zimbabwe making 184 in Chennai, appears to have triggered serious introspection within the camp. Gambhir and Morkel adopted a methodical approach with Varun, as the three were involved in a lengthy discussion in the middle. The team management marked out specific lengths deemed most effective for the Eden Gardens surface. Four markers were placed on the pitch for Varun to aim at, and displaying sharp accuracy, the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner repeatedly struck those designated areas.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate later revealed that the team is considering alternative strategies for Varun against West Indies on Sunday. The move comes after two underwhelming outings against South Africa and Zimbabwe, despite his impressive start to the tournament.
Varun remains India’s leading wicket-taker, with 11 wickets in six matches at an average of 13.09 and an economy rate of 7.20, placing him third overall among the tournament’s top wicket-takers. However, he conceded 47 runs for one wicket in four overs against South Africa and followed that with figures of 1 for 35 in four overs against Zimbabwe.
“I think it is pretty standard how we have utilised Varun so far,” said ten Doeschate. “Generally speaking, he was the one in the powerplay. He is our attacking option as well, but we are aware that teams are now starting to play him a little differently. So, we have some other strategies to deploy him in different facets of the game. But generally speaking, he is someone we turn to for wickets, and he has been really good at that. And expect more of the same tomorrow.”
Suryakumar Yadav and his team will look to carry forward the momentum they gained against Zimbabwe in the previous Super 8 game. A win in front of a packed Eden Gardens will ensure the Men in Blue seal a spot in the semi-finals.
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