Mumbai, March 5 (NationPress) Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final showdown against England, sharing his thoughts on his preparation and mindset ahead of this pivotal match.

“Absolutely, I’m thrilled because I anticipate an exciting game. Both teams have trained hard and I am eager for an intense contest,” Chakaravarthy remarked during his conversation with the media.

He reflected on previous matches, noting the significance of learning from India’s last series against England, while emphasizing the necessity of adapting to their current style of play.

“There were several lessons I drew from that series (against England last year), but I have concentrated significantly on their present approach. The way they played back then differs from their current gameplay. Therefore, I have absorbed a few insights from our last meeting, but I have also analyzed their current tactics,” he explained.

Chakaravarthy, recognized for his enigmatic spin, detailed his unique assessment method, which prioritizes execution over traditional statistics.

“I’m quite content. I don’t pay much attention to the outcomes. If you ask me how I evaluate my performance, I simply examine the pitch map post-match. If the ball lands where I intend it to, then I feel satisfied. I don’t focus on runs conceded or wickets taken; those don’t hold much weight for me, only the pitch map matters,” he stated.

He recounted an arduous beginning to his career, reinforcing his philosophy of adaptation.

“To be frank, in my inaugural IPL match, I conceded 24 runs in my first over. You could say my mystery was unraveled right from that very first delivery. Since then, it has been all about adapting to circumstances. It’s been about eight years, and that’s the key,” Varun shared.

While discussing England’s formidable opener, Chakaravarthy maintained a composed and strategic demeanor, stating, “He’s a talented batsman (Brook), but I’ve adequately prepared for every batter. Let’s see how things unfold. I believe the team that executes well and maintains the right lengths will have the upper hand. However, I am confident we have prepared thoroughly.”

He also mentioned the playing conditions, underlining the possible influence of dew. “Apart from that, I just hope there’s no dew so that the match remains fair. Let’s see how it goes,” he added.

In a crucial game for both teams, England won the toss and opted to bowl first. India faced an early setback as opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed by Will Jacks in the second over. However, his opening partner, Sanju Samson, and top-order batter Ishan Kishan managed to maintain their momentum, propelling the Men in Blue to 67/1 during the powerplay.