“What is the issue with backing a bowler?” - Virender Sehwag supports Varun Chakravarthy despite his poor outing vs England

Former Indian opening batter Virender Sehwag has backed the mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy despite his poor performance in the second semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

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Though India bagged a close seven-run win over England to move to the grand finale, Varun turned out to be expensive on a flat Mumbai wicket, conceding 64 runs in his four-over spell, scalping one wicket.

Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Sehwag asserted that while the opening batter Abhishek Sharma has been constantly backed despite under-performing, Varun should also receive similar backing in the final.

"Even Abhishek Sharma is not doing well. So, if you are backing him, what is the issue with backing a bowler? It's people's job to criticise. If you are playing a batter who has only one fifty in his last 5-6 innings, and if you tell a bowler that you have conceded runs in the last three games so we are looking for a different bowler, what is the guarantee that the replacement bowler will do well?" Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

"The thrashing he got against West Indies and England, the pitches were quite flat. At least he took a wicket. There will be bowlers who just concede runs and do not pick any wickets as well. No matter how good the wicket is for batting, you should know how to escape after conceding 40-45 runs. But he just gave away 15-20 runs extra," Virender Sehwag concluded.

Shifting our focus to the details of the semi-final against England, India was tasked to bat first and they delivered an imposing total of 253/7 in 20 overs, courtesy of Samson's 89 and Shivam Dube's 43. Will Jacks and Adil Rashid pocketed two wickets apiece.

In the second innings, despite losing regular wickets, England looked in complete control, courtesy of Jacob Bethell’s exceptional century. However, it was Jasprit Bumrah’s last two overs of his spell that turned the game towards India’s favour. Ultimately, India bagged a seven–run win to advance to the final.

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