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As India build towards the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Varun Chakaravarthy has offered a rare insight into the mental and tactical framework shaping his preparations for the global event. Speaking ahead of the fifth and final T20I against South Africa, the off-spinner stressed that success at the elite level begins long before match day, with players needing to constantly challenge themselves—even when conditions appear comfortable.
Varun Chakaravarthy shares major takeaways heading into T20 World Cup 2026
With India drawn in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States, Varun believes preparation is as much psychological as it is technical. India are set to begin their World Cup campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, and the spinner feels that waiting for big moments to arrive naturally is a mistake.
Varun explained that elite cricketers must manufacture intensity in training and matches where the challenge does not seem obvious. According to him, creating internal pressure sharpens decision-making and ensures readiness when the stakes are highest. Confidence, he noted, comes from knowing one’s role, bowling the right lengths, and entering a contest with a clear understanding of the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses.
One of Varun’s major takeaways heading into the tournament is the importance of opposition analysis. He believes that reading batters, identifying patterns, and adapting to different match situations can give bowlers an edge in T20 cricket, where margins are razor-thin.
Rather than constantly reinventing his bowling, Varun highlighted the value of trusting his existing skill set. He pointed out that overthinking variations can sometimes be counterproductive, especially when rhythm and confidence are intact. For him, clarity of thought remains the foundation of consistent execution.
“It is very important to keep putting pressure on yourself to get ready for the World Cup. You have to challenge yourself even when there is no challenge. If a match feels easy, you have to create that pressure mentally and start challenging yourself. Confidence, bowling the right lengths, and understanding the opposition are key. That is one major factor I want to take into the World Cup. With a better understanding of the opposition, I think I can do well.” said Varun on Star Sports.
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The key to recent success for Varun
Reflecting on his strong recent performances, Varun credited his success to keeping things simple. He emphasised that sticking to basic plans and bowling consistent lengths has helped him find control and effectiveness. While not every delivery produces immediate results, he believes patience and discipline eventually force batters into mistakes.
Varun also acknowledged that confidence directly influences skill execution. A dip in belief can affect decision-making and accuracy, whereas backing one’s ability allows a bowler to perform freely. For him, consistency at the highest level is non-negotiable, and regular exposure to international cricket plays a vital role in refining that consistency.
The spinner recalled his early international outings, admitting that initial struggles taught him valuable lessons. Those experiences pushed him back to the practice nets, where he worked on technical corrections and mindset adjustments. Varun feels that playing against top international batters provides clarity about areas of improvement and helps players understand where they truly stand.
“Sometimes it works, and thankfully, in the last three matches, it has worked well. I will try the same in the next match. It is about mindset and skill. When you are not confident, your mindset affects your skill. The key is to stay confident and back your skills. That is when you execute well, without much change. That is the secret to being consistent. At this level, you must be consistent; playing at the highest level is important to know where you stand. In my first match at the international level, I struggled a bit initially, and that is when I understood a few things. I went back to practice and made corrections. So, it is very important to keep playing at the highest level,” added Varun.
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