The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 has brought a potentially exciting development to the forefront of Indian cricket: the possible pairing of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in the playing XI. This could signal a significant shift in India's approach to spin bowling in limited-overs cricket. With India kicking off their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE in Dubai on September 10, 2025, the inclusion of both Yadav and Chakravarthy could be a game-changer.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian spinner, has voiced his support for playing both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together in the Asia Cup. He argued that in crucial knockout matches, their inclusion is almost essential. Ashwin envisions a formidable bowling attack comprising Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, and Varun, supplemented by Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. He believes that this combination negates the need for batting insurance at number eight, highlighting the confidence in the team's bowling depth.
Several factors support the idea of fielding both Kuldeep and Varun. Both have proven their mettle in the T20I format. Varun has an impressive record of 31 wickets in his previous 12 T20Is, with an average of 11.25 and an economy of 7.85. Kuldeep played a pivotal role in India's unbeaten run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, securing 10 wickets in five games with an average of 13.90 and an economy of under seven.
India has already experienced the positive impact of playing Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together. In the Champions Trophy 2025, the duo played together in the final three games, which India won convincingly. Kuldeep and Varun took 13 wickets combined across those three matches.
Kuldeep Yadav's recent performance in the Asia Cup opener against UAE further strengthens the argument for his inclusion. Kuldeep Yadav snapped up 4 wickets against the UAE to help the Men in Blue start their Asia Cup campaign on a winning note. Yadav accounted for the likes of UAE captain Muhammad Waseem, Rahul Chopra, Harshit. The trio of spinners — Kuldeep, Varun Chakravarthy (1/4 in 2 overs) and Axar Patel (1/13 in 3 overs) are bowlers whom the players from associate nations don't play regularly and UAE had no clue how to counter them.
However, the decision to include both Kuldeep and Varun also depends on the prevailing pitch conditions. India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has indicated that the team will assess the pitch before finalizing the team composition.
The potential partnership between Kuldeep and Varun offers a dynamic spin bowling option for India. Kuldeep, known for his deceptive wrong'uns and sharp flippers, can trouble batters, especially in spin-friendly conditions in the UAE. Varun's ability to bowl nine different variations adds another dimension to the attack, making him a "mystery spinner" who can outfox opponents.
Looking ahead, the Asia Cup 2025 and the subsequent 2026 T20 World Cup present an ideal platform for both Kuldeep and Varun to solidify their places in India's T20I setup. Their success in these tournaments could pave the way for a long-term spin partnership that could serve India well in future competitions.
