NewKerala.com

Varun Chakaravarthy's Costly Spell in India's T20 WC Semi-Final Win

India secured a place in the T20 World Cup final with a tense seven-run victory over England in Mumbai. Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy had a difficult outing, conceding 64 runs for one wicket, equalling the joint-second-most expensive spell in the tournament's history. India's massive total of 253 was built on a brilliant 89 from Sanju Samson, supported by quick cameos from Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. The team will now face New Zealand in the championship match in Ahmedabad.

Key Points: Varun Chakaravarthy's Expensive Bowling Record in T20 WC

  • India beats England by 7 runs
  • Chakaravarthy's 1/64 is joint-second worst in T20 WC
  • Sanju Samson scores 89 in India's 253
  • India to face New Zealand in final
2 min read

T20 WC: Varun Chakaravarthy registers unwanted bowling record against England

India's Varun Chakaravarthy conceded 64 runs, registering an unwanted T20 World Cup bowling record during the semi-final win over England.

"It was the joint-second-most expensive bowling spell in a T20 World Cup match. - Report"

Mumbai, March 6

India entered the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating England by seven runs in the semi-final held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, and the Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy recorded an unwanted record during the match.

Chakaravarthy conceded 64 runs and took only one wicket while India defended a mammoth total of 253 runs. It was the joint-second-most expensive bowling spell in a T20 World Cup match. He joined Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, who recorded the bowling figures of 0/64 against Pakistan in Johannesburg in 2007.

The worst-ever bowling figure in a T20 World Cup match was recorded in this tournament when Saurabh Netravalkar of the USA finished with 0/65 against the defending champions India.

Varun Chakravarthy now has the joint second-most expensive returns for India in all T20Is after 0/68 by Prasidh Krishna against Australia (Guwahati, 2023) and alongside 0/64 for Yuzvendra Chahal vs South Africa (Durban, 2018).

Coming to the match, India were asked to bat first and posted a mammoth total of 253 runs.

Sanju Samson made 89 runs with the help of eight fours and seven sixes. Shivam Dube (43 off 25 balls) and Ishan Kishan (39 off just 18 balls) helped him from the other end.

Tilak Varma (21 off 7 balls) and Hardik Pandya's (27 off 12 balls) quick knocks at the end helped India post the biggest total in a T20 World Cup knockout match. Will Jacks and Adil Rashid took a couple of wickets each for England, while Jofra Archer grabbed the crucial wicket of Varma.

In response, Jacob Bethell's maiden T20I ton kept England alive in the game for most of the time, but the Three Lions failed to reach the total by seven runs.

Hardik Pandya took two wickets, whereas Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Chakaravarthy and Patel took one wicket each.

Now, India will face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Honestly, these stats are a bit harsh. Yes, he went for runs, but it's a semi-final at Wankhede, small ground, and England were chasing 253 aggressively. Everyone gets hit sometimes. The management should back him for the final.
A
Aman W
Unfortunate record for a talented bowler. But let's not forget, he did take a wicket. The real hero was the batting lineup - 253 in a knockout! Sanju Samson, take a bow. 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
Watching from the UK. What a game! Bethell's century was special, but India's total was just too much. Hardik Pandya's all-round performance was clutch. Good luck in the final!
K
Karthik V
With respect, I think we need to have a conversation about team selection. If a bowler is having an off day on a flat track, maybe the captain could have used his overs differently. Just a thought. The win papers over the cracks a bit.
I
Ishita S
So proud of the team! 🎉 Final at Motera! Don't worry about one bad spell, Varun. You'll come back stronger. The entire country is with you. Now, bring the cup home! #BleedBlue

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50