New Delhi, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Varun Chakaravarthy believes India’s spinners rediscovered their rhythm in the opening T20I against Afghanistan by consistently bowling in the right areas, helping the hosts produce a commanding 1-0 series lead at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Returning from an injury layoff alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Chakaravarthy claimed a wicket as India restricted Afghanistan to 156/7 before Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 82 off 32 balls powered the chase with 38 balls to spare.
Bumrah announced his return almost immediately, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with only his second legal delivery and handing the Afghanistan opener his 11th T20I duck. Arshdeep Singh then returned impressive figures of 3/19, while Axar Patel and Chakaravarthy tightened the screws through the middle overs.
Afghanistan were 39/3 after five overs when Axar and Chakaravarthy conceded only 11 runs over the next four overs while removing Gulbadin Naib and Darwish Rasooli. The Indian spin pair combined for 2/43 in eight overs.
Chakaravarthy said the bowling plan was built around exploiting the dimensions of the Delhi ground and maintaining the ideal length.
“We are used to playing on such pitches and we know the dimensions very well. It is not a big ground,” he said. “There are certain lengths that we have to get… So, we stuck to our plans and worked with it.”
He added that pace was less important than repeatedly finding the right length.
“It is just the lengths, I think, which matter in this wicket. It is not very full or very short. It is just right in between that sweet spot which you have to hit,” Chakaravarthy said.
Afghanistan briefly recovered through Azmatullah Omarzai, who remained unbeaten on 64 off 44 balls, combining with Mohammad Nabi as India’s fifth bowling option came under pressure. However, their 157-run target proved inadequate against India’s powerful batting line-up.
Abhishek, who had managed only 11 runs during India’s series win in Zimbabwe, dismantled the attack with eight sixes and five fours. Ishan Kishan contributed 42 as India reached 158/2 in 13.4 overs.
Chakaravarthy said India’s depth made it extremely difficult for opposition teams to rely on spin.
“Against our team’s batting line-up, you can’t bowl spin,” he said. “Anyone can take on any spinner in this world. I have personally bowled against them… I know how hard it is and I feel for their spinners.”
The match also marked India’s first T20I on home soil since their T20 World Cup triumph in March. Their subsequent results had included a surprise defeat to Ireland and a series loss in England before a series victory in Zimbabwe.
Chakaravarthy, who endured a difficult England tour before his hamstring injury, said setbacks remained valuable learning experiences.
“Every match is a learning and the results sometimes come our way, and sometimes it doesn’t,” he said.
The spinner also stressed that he judges his performances by process rather than results. For him, the key measure is whether he has delivered the ball in the right area, rather than whether it produces a wicket.
India’s performance offered several signs of their familiar T20 formula returning: early strikes from the pace attack, disciplined spin through the middle overs and an aggressive batting display that made Afghanistan’s total look well below par.
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