Ahmedabad, March 7 (NationPress) As the reigning champions, India gears up for their second consecutive final in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup against New Zealand, there is rising concern regarding the recent struggles of their enigmatic spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy, who recorded figures of 1-64 in four overs during the semifinal against England.

However, ahead of the pivotal match, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav downplayed worries about his key player, who is currently the top-ranked bowler in the ICC T20 Rankings. The 1-64 performance is Varun's most expensive in a T20I, following a 1-40 outing against the West Indies in the preceding match. Despite his recent decline, having taken nine wickets during the league stage, Yadav remains confident.

“There is nothing to be concerned about. We secured the win. Cricket is a team effort; everyone strives for excellence. We focus on collective success rather than individual performance. Our team is capable of compensating for fluctuations in form. Varun is a world-class bowler and knows how to secure victories. I’m confident he’ll bounce back,” Yadav stated during a pre-match briefing in Ahmedabad.

The Indian captain expressed greater concern about the batting lineup's difficulties against off-spin, as the team has lost 15 wickets to such bowling, stating they have yet to address this issue.

“We haven’t tackled that topic yet. If we enter the final with a strike rate of 120, then I will stick to that approach. There’s no issue within the team. While we occasionally discuss strategies, we don’t overly focus on them. It’s crucial for our batters to adapt to the demands of the game. In the last match against England, two left-handers performed well against off-spin, including Ishan, Dube, and Tilak Verma. We don’t need to overthink at this stage. If we face two spinners in the final, we will tackle them head-on,” Yadav noted.

Leading the team in the final for the first time on home ground is a significant moment for Yadav, who previously secured the title under Rohit Sharma's captaincy in 2024. He admitted to feeling some pre-match jitters but emphasized that pressure is part of the excitement.

“It’s indeed special to lead this incredible squad into a final, especially on home turf. I’m thrilled. Naturally, there’s some nervousness, but I believe that without pressure, there is no enjoyment. Everyone is excited for the match,” he remarked.

Yadav reiterated the importance of simplicity in their approach, stating, “We aim to keep things straightforward and continue building on our strengths. My journey over the last six years has been extensive, and leading India in such a monumental event is a great honor. I’m grateful for my family and everyone involved.”

When questioned about managing pressure, Yadav explained that maintaining composure in challenging situations is key. “Handling pressure involves staying calm when stakes are high. It’s essential to simulate game scenarios during practice, such as taking challenging catches and batting under pressure. This preparation instills confidence when facing real-game situations,” he elaborated.

“Communicating with teammates fosters a familial atmosphere. Players and support staff often share similar experiences, which aids in maintaining composure. Positive decision-making is critical, and we’ve been focusing on that,” Yadav concluded.