India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said that Varun Chakaravarthy sometimes puts too much pressure on himself because he wants to be the one who turns the game around. He praised the Tamil Nadu spinner for how carefully he prepares.
But he added that it’s important for Varun to remember he isn’t alone on the field and has the team’s support. Chakaravarthy has been India’s top wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup so far. In four matches, he has picked up nine wickets, averaging 6.88, with an impressive economy rate of 5.16.
The 34-year-old has been outstanding in T20 internationals since returning to the side in October 2024 after being out for three years. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, February 20, Morkel shared his thoughts on the impact bowler and highlighted how important it is for him to feel backed by his teammates during matches.
“Varun is a strike bowler first, and he’s done really well in the World Cup so far. However, you need your other three or four bowlers to create pressure and bowl in partnerships to help Varun. I think sometimes he feels the pressure to try too many things because he wants to be the guy who breaks a partnership. One of the most important conversations we’ve had with him is to just try not to rush things.”
Morne Morkel praised Chakaravarthy’s dedication and hard work, saying he prepares so well that he’s like a student who walks into an exam fully ready. Most of the time, he not only takes the test confidently but also comes out with great results. The former South African fast bowler then explained his thoughts in more detail:
“Things will happen if he lands the ball in the right areas. It’s crucial for him to understand he’s not alone out there, and it’s been great to build that bowling unit around him. In terms of preparation, he is a true student of the game. He puts in extra work analyzing batters and is very specific when reviewing video footage to anticipate what an opponent will do.”
“Staying Sharp Is Key” – Morkel on India’s Bowling Combination vs South Africa
After finishing at the top of their group, Team India are now preparing to take on South Africa in their first Super 8 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Before the game, there has been a lot of talk about whether India should include off-spinner Washington Sundar.
Especially because South Africa’s lineup has several left-handed batters. Without revealing too many details, Morkel said that India are open to making changes to their bowling attack if needed. He added:
“Yeah, definitely we discuss options in terms of how we’re going to approach our bowling innings against different teams. I think it’s important to stay awake and to keep on looking for ways that we can strike better and where we can have guys attacking specific batters.”
After playing their first Super 8 match against South Africa, India will next take on Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26, followed by a game against West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.
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