No Rohit Or Kohli; Varun Chakaravarthy's Dream T20 XI Has 3 Other Indian Players

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Varun Chakaravarthy and Virat Kohli [Source: @KKRSince2011, @MKhalid87722454/x.com]Varun Chakaravarthy and Virat Kohli [Source: @KKRSince2011, @MKhalid87722454/x.com]

During the recent episode of Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube podcast "Kutti Stories With Ash", Varun Chakaravarthy revealed his dream T20 XI - a selection that proves the mystery spinner is a deep thinker of the game. The bold omission of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli might raise a few eyebrows but strengthens the strategic credibility of Chakaravarthy when it comes to modern T20 cricket.

The eleven selected by Varun has a perfect blend of explosive batting prowess with a versatile bowling attack that could dominate any opposition across different conditions and match situations.

Batting Line-up: A Lethal Powerhouse

Picture this: Jos Buttler and Travis Head walking out to open the innings for a team - two batters who, on their day, can take any bowling attack to the smithereens. 

It gets even more interesting after this: Suryakumar Yadav following the pair at number three isn't just a tactical genius - it could be a T20 revolution. His 360 ° playing style leaves little scope for the bowlers to escape. 

Following the top three would be the power-packed batters, Nicholas Pooran and Heinrich Klaasen. To provide the finishing touches, there would be Andre Russell and Hardik Pandya. This batting lineup will not only score runs but also terrorise even the best bowling attacks. 

The Bowling Attack: Perfect Blend Of Attack And Efficiency

The real masterstroke of this team is the bowling attack. Varun has assembled the world's most efficient and lethal bowlers. 

Jasprit Bumrah's yorkers, paired with Sunil Narine's mystery spin, will give little for the batting team to exploit. Rashid Khan puts the cherry on the top as the second spinner in the XI- and adds the crucial X-factor to the mix. 

The Russell-Pandya combo can also be effective with the ball, providing flexibility, dynamism and depth to the side. The cherry on the top is the presence of Matheesha Pathirana, the death-over specialist from Sri Lanka.

The Verdict: Championship Material Or Fool's Gold?

The XI by Chakaravarthy ticks most boxes for an ideal XI in modern T20 cricket. The depth in the batting line-up comes from the eight batters who can clear boundaries, four genuine wicket-taking bowlers and some brilliant fielders.

If there is only one slight hole in this composition, then it looks like a team that lives and dies by the sword of aggression. No traditional anchor in the side means if the top order falters, there could be a spectacular collapse. But in all honesty, with this firepower - who needs caution when you can create chaos?

The selection of Varun has unearthed the master tactician in him. If the franchises are watching this, then here is your strategist whom you can have as a part of your think tank once the mystery spinner decides to hang up his boots.

Varun Chakaravarthy's Dream T20 XI

Travis Head, Jos Buttler, Suryakumar Yadav, Nicholas Pooran, Heinrich Klaasen, Andre Russel, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, Jasprit Bumrah, Matheesha Pathirana.