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Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been India's leading wicket-taker in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 but Jasprit Bumrah is the bowler Suryakumar Yadav turns to when the going gets tough. There has been plenty talk around how to use Bumrah's four overs. Many have advised whether to use him in powerplay overs, middle overs or in the slog overs. Ahead of the semifinal at Wankhede Stadium, a familiar venue for the Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer, the same discussion as taken place. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik wants Bumrah to come on when skipper Harry Brook marks his guard. He wants Bumrah and Chakravarthy to form a partnership but former England captain Nasser Hussain feels that the pacer should take the new ball.
"I would introduce Bumrah later - the bigger wicket now is Brook and I would keep him for that,” Karthik said on Sky Sports in conversation with Hussain and Michael Atherton.
"I think Bumrah and [spinner] Varun Chakravarthy bowling in tandem would be great match-ups to Brook as you need to knock him over early on. He can change the game on its head.
"I think Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya are good match-ups to Buttler and Salt. Salt has had struggles against Arshdeep in the past, although he has overcome them a bit."
Why Hussain disagreed with Karthik?
Hussain feels Bumrah should be used against England openers as Chakravarthy has a good record against England. The mystery spinner troubled him on England's tour of India in 2025.
“I wouldn't be holding Bumrah back for the middle order. I would strike early, make sure you get Buttler or Salt early and keep England down,” Hussain said.
"India have Chakravarthy, who has a good record against Brook. Brook couldn't pick him at all during England's tour of India last year."
Bumrah, Chakravarthy’s T20I record vs England
Both Bumrah and Chakravarthy have an impressive T20I record against England. Chakravarthy claimed 14 wickets in the five-T20I series last year at an average just under 10. His economy rate is 7.66 runs per over. On the other hand, the pacer has been more economical, conceding runs at just 5.34 runs per over against the English. He also has nine wickets from five T20Is against them at an average of 9.11.
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