Spinner Varun Chakravarthy made a remarkable impact on his Champions Trophy debut, delivering a match-winning performance for India against New Zealand. His exceptional bowling display resulted in figures of 5 wickets for 42 runs, significantly contributing to India’s 44-run victory and securing their place at the top of Group A.
Chakravarthy, known for his ‘mystery spin’ techniques including the carrom ball, had previously been a standout player in India’s T20 series against England, where he was named player-of-the-series. Despite this, he had been positioned behind established spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad’s hierarchy during the tournament.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, praised Chakravarthy’s unique skills, stating, “He has got something different about him…and we saw he has a lot to offer.” With their semi-final match against Australia on the horizon, Rohit acknowledged the “good headache” of selecting the ideal spin attack given Chakravarthy’s stellar performance.
In contrast, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that his team did not anticipate the slower conditions of the Dubai wicket during their match. Looking ahead to their own semi-final clash with South Africa, he noted the importance of their pace attack, specifically mentioning Matt Henry’s contributions.
Chakravarthy’s emergence as a key player bodes well for India as they prepare for the knockout rounds, suggesting a promising pathway as they continue their campaign for the Champions Trophy title. Fans can remain optimistic about India’s strength and depth in their bowling lineup, enhancing hopes for a successful tournament.
Leave a comment