R Ashwin Picks Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy as India’s Key T20 World Cup 2026 Weapons, Not Jasprit Bumrah

Veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has stirred discussion within the cricket community by leaving out pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah while naming India’s two most formidable threats for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Instead of the bowler widely regarded as one of the finest in world cricket, Ashwin highlighted Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy as the two players international teams must decode if they hope to challenge India on home soil.

Bumrah, who has dominated across formats since 2016 and played a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, is often viewed as India’s most potent match-winner. Despite his brilliance and a tournament-topping performance with 15 wickets in that campaign, Ashwin believes the strategic focus for opponents has shifted.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that teams now need to concentrate on countering the impact of Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin and Abhishek Sharma’s attacking prowess. “If any team wants to win the T20 World Cup in India, they will have to master two factors. Until recently, I would always say handling Jasprit Bumrah. But based on what I have seen, especially how Tim David played Varun Chakravarthy, I think opponents will plan specifically for Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy,” he explained.

Ashwin further noted that opposition sides are likely to replicate Australia’s short-ball tactic against Abhishek Sharma in future high-pressure matches. He added that teams preparing for the 2026 World Cup would study Chakravarthy extensively, knowing he could disrupt batting lineups with his variations on Indian pitches traditionally favourable to spin.

His remarks come amid India's strong performance against Australia in the ongoing five-match T20I series. India clinched a commanding 48-run victory in the fourth match after defending a target of 167. Washington Sundar delivered a standout spell, taking 3 wickets for just 3 runs in 1.2 overs, while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel contributed with two wickets each. Varun Chakravarthy, Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh also claimed a wicket apiece, helping India secure a 2-1 lead ahead of the final match in Brisbane.

Ashwin’s viewpoint has sparked fresh debate about India’s evolving T20 strategy in the lead-up to the World Cup, especially as teams look for ways to counter India’s strengths across conditions.