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NEW DELHI: India’s frontline spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was among four squad members who opted to train under the blazing Mumbai sun a day before the T20 World Cup semifinal against England national cricket team.

Chakaravarthy has served as India’s go to option in the middle overs over the past year, winning crucial matches on several occasions. His effectiveness has grown significantly since he increased his pace and transitioned from side spin to over spin.

His biggest weapon remains his ability to attack the stumps and generate movement both ways, leaving batters uncertain more often than not.

He claimed 36 wickets last year at an average of 13.19 with an economy rate of 7.08. The mystery spinner was at his sharpest in the early phase of the T20 World Cup but struggled for consistency in the Super Eights, conceding runs against West Indies and South Africa.

Focus on Lengths and Control

Following an intense training session on Tuesday night, Chakaravarthy could have rested like most of his teammates. Instead, he returned to fine tune his bowling in the afternoon heat.

He concentrated on spot bowling and worked hard on rediscovering his ideal lengths. On several occasions, he erred on the shorter side.

At times he attacked the stumps directly, while on other deliveries he experimented with a wider line.

Support staff members T Dilip, Morne Morkel, Ryan ten Doeschate and Sitanshu Kotak were seen engaged in extended discussions with the spinner.

He is set to face an in form Harry Brook, a contest that could prove decisive on Thursday night.

Morkel Backs His Match Winner

Bowling coach Morkel lauded Chakaravarthy’s unique skill set but admitted that the spinner can sometimes burden himself with expectations.

"It was a normal routine session with Varun. He really enjoys single wicket practice day before the game where mentally he can go through the process. Conversations we have had it is about clarity and for him to be feeling good about his bowling," said Morkel, playing down the long conversations with the spinner.

When asked about Chakaravarthy’s mental preparation, Morkel chose not to delve into specifics.

"It's a tricky question to answer here now. Obviously I can't reveal his process. But I keep on telling him that in our bowling line-up, with the skill and variation varun's got, he's got the ability to take a wicket almost every ball. So if he goes to a boundary or the ball, he's not executed as well as possible.

"For him it's just to move on to the next one and make sure he commits to that next ball. I think he's a highly skilful guy, hard to pick once you walk into the crease. So for him it's just about getting that confidence with the ball, getting his speed, his length, control right, and not trying to overthink it.

"With Varun at times, to his credit, he wants to be a big performer for the team. So he will put a little bit of pressure on himself. But he's a match-winner for us, and for him it's just to stay and bowl every ball and make sure it's his best ball," added the bowling coach.

Dube Under Lens as Sixth Bowling Option

Shivam Dube has also been expensive in recent outings. He conceded 46 runs in two overs against Zimbabwe and, particularly on flat tracks, remains a risky sixth bowling option. Morkel observed that his execution with the ball can improve.

"Shivam is a guy that's always going to give us potentially an over or two. And then for him, the most important thing is just to make smart decisions with the ball.

"So I think that's one area we would like to improve with him sometimes is just his ball execution. Teams are going to go after him, he's going to be the guy that's going to be put under pressure, which gives us opportunities to take wickets.

"So if we can get that thinking process with ball in hand a little bit better, a little bit smarter, that'll be a good one," felt Morkel.

(With PTI Inputs)