Dubai: Dinesh Karthik, senior Indian wicketkeeper who last Friday was battling out for his team Kolkata night Riders against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL final at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, believes that ‘mystery spinner’ Varun Chakravarthy will be India’s X-factor at the T20 World Cup as many teams are yet to face him.
“India’s bowling attack has improved a lot over the past few years, which is why we’re now winning abroad. Our bowling attack of (Jasprit) Bumrah, Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar), (Mohammed) Shami and Shardul Thakur is very good. In addition, we have an X factor in Varun Chakravarthy. Not many batters have played against him. He’s a mystery spinner; such cricketers are rare and he’s one of a kind,” Karthik was quoted as saying to ABP News.
In the recently-concluded 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League, Chakravarthy ended with 19 wickets in 17 games at an impressive economy rate of 6.58 helping KKR to reach the final. “100% he will play, there’s no doubt. Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah will definitely be in the XI against Pakistan. One of Shami and Bhuvi will be the fifth bowler,” said Karthik.
The Chennai-born cricketer also named Chakravarthy as a player to watch out for in T20 World Cup and pointed out that the KKR spinner is one of the most economical bowlers and he has the ability to bowl and pick wickets in any phase of a game.
“I would love for Varun Chakravarthy to do something special. He looks good and he has been one of the most economical bowlers in the IPL, which has some of the best players in the world. I wish he becomes the Player of the Tournament because he has that X-Factor,” Karthik concluded.
