Not Sanju Samson or Jasprit Bumrah! Sourav Ganguly reckons This India player as Key for T20 World Cup 2026

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has thrown his weight behind mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, predicting a pivotal role for him in India's bid to defend the T20 World Cup title later this year.

Ganguly believes the Tamil Nadu spinner will be a key factor for the Indian team for this upcoming World Cup.

Chakravarthy, the Tamil Nadu enigma, roared back into international cricket in 2024 after a three-year absence, consistently troubling batters with his variations and leaving opponents scratching their heads. In 33 T20Is to date, he boasts an exceptional record of 55 wickets at an average of 14.87, a strike rate of 12.8, and an economy rate of 6.96, stats that underline his middle-overs mastery.

"Yeah, nothing (home WC) gets bigger than that,

and India is always my favourite team. They have a strong spin attack and if Chakravarthy is fit, then it's good for India," Ganguly was quoted as saying by India Today.

Under captain Suryakumar Yadav, India's spin department looks lethal. Alongside Chakravarthy's guile, wrist-spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav brings experience, while all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel offer balance and bite. This quartet could dominate subcontinental pitches, where turn and grip often decide contests. Chakravarthy, now the ICC's No.1 T20I bowler with a career-high 818 rating, sharpened his craft post-2024 slump-tweaking run-up, action, and adding a potent leg-break that has yielded 32 wickets in 17 innings last year alone at 13.18 average.

Ahead of the World Cup, Chakravarthy eyes crucial match practice in the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting January 21. India sits in Group A with USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and Netherlands, highlighted by a blockbuster Pakistan clash on February 15 at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium.

Since Suryakumar took T20I reins, India remains unbeaten in series, fresh off a 3-1 triumph over South Africa. Chakravarthy's resurgence, from IPL wicket hauls to T20I hauls, positions him as the X-factor. As Ganguly notes, fitness is key, but if the 34-year-old stays sharp, India's spin web could pave the way for another global crown.