Fallback plan, way forward

Men in Blue seek maximum points against Zimbabwe in Chennai in order to stay alive

- GOMESH S @ Chennai

Varun Chakravarthy (top) checks the pitch Wednesday; India captain Suryakumar Yadav during a training session on Tuesday in Chennai

(ASHWIN PRASATH)

ON a hot Wednesday afternoon, the press box at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is buzzing.

India were supposed to arrive at the venue for optional training on the eve of an all-important must-win Super 8s encounter against Zimbabwe by 2 PM, but they hadn’t yet. Soon, word spread that it was going to be just Varun Chakravarthy and Tilak Varma with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressing the media.

Varun and Tilak, in many ways, have been the key players to discuss through the course of this World Cup for the co-hosts. The mystery spinner, on one hand, has been the crux of India’s bowling success until Sunday when South Africa batters took him apart. On the other hand, Tilak has struggled to find rhythm and form through the tournament, especially against spinners.