New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) The wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy, known for his diverse range of deliveries, particularly his googly, poses the greatest challenge to the in-form England captain Harry Brook in the upcoming semi-final of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday evening, according to former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara.

Brook has scored a total of 228 runs in seven innings with an average of 32.6 and a strike rate of 162. His match-up against Chakravarthy will be a focal point, especially with a place in the finals at stake. So far in the tournament, Chakravarthy has claimed 12 wickets and has dismissed Brook three times, giving away only 28 runs off 18 balls in their previous T20I encounters.

“Most of Brook's runs come from the leg side. Nevertheless, he is also adept on the off side. It’s essential to analyze not just the statistics but also the strengths of the batsman. While Brook mainly scores on the leg side, he is equally capable of scoring on the off side,” Pujara explained.

“To dismiss him, it's crucial to target the stumps as much as possible, ensuring that whenever he misses, the ball strikes the stumps. When he creates room on the off side, that’s where he shows some vulnerability. I believe Varun will be the most threatening bowler against Harry Brook due to Brook's penchant for the sweep and slog sweep shots.”

“If he’s allowed any room on the off side, Varun can use his googly, which turns back in and can hit the stumps. Out of the three times he’s dismissed Brook, two were bowled. Therefore, as a bowler, it’s vital to aim for the middle and off stump, ideally around the fourth stump, and avoid any deliveries wider than that,” Pujara added during a discussion on JioHotstar.

England is also counting on veteran wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler to regain his form in this crucial semi-final. In the tournament, Buttler has managed only 62 runs at an average of 8.9 and a strike rate of 107. Pujara emphasized that Buttler should not be underestimated in a knockout situation, particularly in his upcoming contest against Jasprit Bumrah, known for his variety of yorkers and slower deliveries.

“You can't write off Buttler. He stands out as one of the most seasoned batters in the England lineup, and he’s not hesitant to play aggressive shots once he settles in. With over 4,000 runs in T20 cricket, he possesses the experience to bounce back from a rough phase and manage pressure effectively in high-stakes matches,” he remarked.

“I would prefer Bumrah to bowl at least one over within the first three overs. Against Buttler, he should aim to deliver the ball around an eight-metre length or slightly shorter. We observed Buttler getting caught behind by Lockie Ferguson in a previous match, which could serve as a template.”

“Bumrah’s advantage lies in his excellent yorkers and slower balls. If his back-of-a-length delivery isn’t effective, he can always switch it up,” he concluded.