Varun Chakravarthy leaves Aussies guessing as Short braces for spin test ahead

Australia’s top-order batter Matthew Short admitted that facing Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been challenging due to his sharp pace and deceptive variations. As both teams gear up for subcontinental conditions ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Australia continues to search for answers to handle his unique bowling style.

Varun’s impact in the T20I series

Chakravarthy has already claimed four wickets in two bowling innings this series, reinforcing his importance in India’s push for a series victory on Australian soil. His fast deliveries and unpredictable spin have made him one of the toughest bowlers to read.

Matthew Short on the challenge

“What makes it harder is just how quick he bowls,” said Matthew Short on Wednesday, ahead of the fourth T20I at Carrara in Gold Coast.

Short acknowledged that Australia has reviewed extensive footage of Varun’s bowling, yet adapting to the unique spin encountered in the subcontinent remains a significant challenge.

“We’ve obviously watched a lot of footage. That’s probably going to be the other challenge heading to India or Sri Lanka if the pitches favor spin,” he added.

Looking ahead to World Cup conditions

Short emphasized that the pitches in Australia offer less turn than those in India or Sri Lanka, making preparation vital for their World Cup campaign. He expressed optimism about learning and adapting from these encounters with India’s high-caliber bowling attack.

“He’s a tough one and one we’ll have to look out for,” Short said, noting the difference in conditions between Australia and the subcontinent.

Despite the challenges, Short welcomed the experience, calling it valuable exposure against world-class opposition. He also recognized that the upcoming T20 World Cup will demand further refinement and adaptability from Australia’s batting unit.

Author’s summary

Matthew Short discusses the difficulty of facing Varun Chakravarthy’s pace and spin, stressing the need for Australia to adapt before next year’s T20 World Cup in subcontinental conditions.

Telegraph India — 2025-11-06