Former India batter Aakash Chopra has questioned the team management’s handling of mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy during the ongoing T20 World Cup, expressing surprise that he was not allowed to complete his full quota of overs more often in the group stage.

Chopra took aim at captain Suryakumar Yadav, pointing out that Chakravarthy was given his full four overs only once against USA, when India operated with just five bowlers. In the match against the Netherlands, the spinner returned impressive figures of 3/14 in three overs as India secured a 17-run win, but was not called upon to bowl his fourth over.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra questioned the logic behind the decision. He argued that just as batters are allowed to capitalise on good form, bowlers too deserve the opportunity to build rhythm.

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“Why are you not letting Varun Chakravarthy complete his overs? You’ve done that only once, against USA, because you used five bowlers. Do you ever ask a batter to walk off when he’s batting well on 50 or 60? They can play 60 balls if they want. A bowler can only bowl 24 balls, and you’re not even allowing him that,” Chopra said.

He added that Chakravarthy might have registered at least one five-wicket haul if he had been trusted with his full quota and also questioned the decision to leave him out against New Zealand. “If a batter needs rhythm, a bowler does too,” Chopra remarked.

Despite the limited overs, Chakravarthy’s impact was recognised in the dressing room. He was awarded the Impact Player medal following his 3/14 spell in India’s group-stage clash against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The 17-run victory helped India maintain their unbeaten run in the group stage, finishing with four wins in four matches and carrying strong momentum into the Super Eight. Netherlands, meanwhile, exited the tournament with one win and three defeats, including narrow losses to India and Pakistan.

After receiving the medal from India’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux, Chakravarthy shifted focus to the next phase of the competition.

“The real tournament starts with the next match. We have to get ready for that,” he said.