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DC vs KKR: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav vs Varun Chakravarthy — India’s spin trio faces battle within
TL;DR
The upcoming match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders features India's top spinners: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy. Despite a strong T20 World Cup, Varun has faced challenges but recently regained form with eight wickets in three matches.
Key points
- Delhi Capitals face Kolkata Knight Riders at Arun Jaitley Stadium
- Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav are key spinners
- Varun struggled early in the IPL but has recently regained form
- Varun was joint-highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup with 14 wickets
- India's spinners have faced challenges since the World Cup
Delhi CapitalsKolkata Knight RidersIPLT20 World Cup
NEW DELHI: The contest between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday night offers an interesting subplot. On view will be three of India’s frontline spin options in the T20 setup — Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Though they were part of the high of India’s T20 World Cup title defence in March, the trio has endured its share of struggles since.
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For KKR’s Varun, problems began to crop up during the course of that successful T20 World Cup campaign. Though he emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah with 14 wickets, rivals seemed to get a better read on his mystery spin from the Super-8 stage. He claimed just five wickets in the last five World Cup matches and his tournament economy climbed past nine.
His lean patch continued in the initial stages of the IPL as Varun went wicketless in the first two matches before being sidelined by a hand injury. In fact, Varun had to wait until his fourth match this season, against Gujarat Titans, to get into the wickettakers’ column as he finished with 2/34 in Ahmedabad.
Once he got back among the wickets, though, the 34-year-old showed signs of returning to his best. In recent matches, he has used the crease well and come up with subtle variations to reap dividends. He has claimed eight wickets in the last three matches, coinciding with KKR’ hattrick of wins.
KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo said the injury break seemed to have done Varun a world of good. “Varun is a world-class spinner and had just come from a hectic World Cup. Sometimes a break at the right time is important. Nobody doubted his ability. The g roup has supported him throughout,” said the former West Indies allrounder.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals’ Kuldeep Yadav is having a nightmarish season. The rust from warming the bench for the most part of India’s T20 World Cup campaign seems to be showing. He has been guilty of bowling too short and has claimed just seven wickets in 10 games while going at more than 10 runs per over.
Q&A
What is Varun Chakravarthy's performance in the IPL this season?
Varun Chakravarthy started the IPL season without taking any wickets in his first two matches but has since claimed eight wickets in his last three matches.
How did Varun Chakravarthy perform during the T20 World Cup?
Varun was the joint-highest wicket-taker for India in the T20 World Cup with 14 wickets but struggled in the latter stages, taking only five wickets in the last five matches.
What challenges have India's frontline spinners faced recently?
India's frontline spinners, including Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, have struggled with consistency since the T20 World Cup, with Varun Chakravarthy facing a hand injury and performance issues.
