“I Felt Nervous at First, But the Team Backed Me” – Varun Chakravarthy After Stunning Five-Wicket Haul
Dubai, March 2: Varun Chakravarthy scripted a perfect redemption story in Dubai, delivering a match-winning five-wicket haul against New Zealand in India’s final ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage match. The mystery spinner, who had a forgettable T20 World Cup 2021 campaign at the same venue, turned the tables with a breathtaking 5/42 in 10 overs, dismantling the Kiwis and sealing India’s unbeaten run in the group stage.
After this emphatic 44-run victory, India will now face Australia in the semi-finals on March 4 in Dubai.
From Zero to Hero: Varun Chakravarthy’s Dubai Redemption
Varun’s last appearance at this venue—during the T20 World Cup 2021—was a nightmare, as he went wicketless in three matches, including India’s 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan. However, he returned to Dubai with renewed confidence, making an instant impact in just his second ODI match.
“I did feel nervous in the initial stages. I have not played many ODIs for India, but as the game went on, I felt better. Virat, Rohit, Shreyas, and Hardik were talking to me, and that helped a lot,” said Varun after the match.
The 32-year-old only found out the night before that he was playing. Despite the pressure, he rose to the occasion, ripping through New Zealand’s middle order.
“I was expecting to play, but I was nervous. It wasn’t a rank turner, but if you bowled in the right areas, you got help. The way Kuldeep, Jaddu, and Axar bowled, even the pacers, it was a total team effort,” he added.
India’s Spinners Seal the Deal After Fighting Batting Performance
India’s Innings: Hard-Fought 249/9
New Zealand won the toss and put India to bat first. The top order crumbled to 30/3, but a 98-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer (79) and Axar Patel (42) rescued the innings.
- KL Rahul (23) and Ravindra Jadeja (16) chipped in, but wickets kept falling.
- Hardik Pandya (45 off 45 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) provided the finishing touch, helping India reach 249/9 in 50 overs.
- Matt Henry was the standout Kiwi bowler, taking a brilliant 5/42 in eight overs.
New Zealand’s Chase: Spinners Dominate
The Kiwis started steadily but collapsed under India’s spin pressure. At 151/4 in 35.3 overs, they were still in contention, with Kane Williamson (81 off 120 balls) leading the charge. However, Varun orchestrated a dramatic collapse:
- Varun started his spell with the wicket of Will Young (22).
- He then ran through Glenn Phillips (12), Michael Bracewell (2), Mitchell Santner (28), and Matt Henry (2), sealing a historic five-wicket haul.
- Axar Patel got the key wicket of Williamson, stumping him with KL Rahul’s quick glovework.
- Kuldeep Yadav (2/56), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with wickets.
New Zealand were bowled out for 205 in 45.3 overs, giving India a 44-run victory.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Record-Breaking Spell
Stats That Define His Heroics:
✅ Best Bowling Figures by an Indian on Champions Trophy Debut (5/42)
✅ Second-Best Bowling Spell by an Indian in Champions Trophy History (Behind Jadeja’s 5/36 in 2013)
✅ Fastest Five-Wicket Haul by an Indian in ODIs (2nd Match)
✅ Most Wickets by Indian Spinners in a Champions Trophy Match (9 wickets, surpassing Pakistan’s 8 against Kenya in 2004)
India vs. Australia: The Semi-Final Showdown
With this comprehensive victory, India finished on top of Group A and will now face Australia in the semi-finals on March 4 in Dubai.
“This was a complete team effort. We knew 250 was a tricky target, but our bowlers stepped up, especially Varun. Excited for the semi-final against Australia,” said captain Rohit Sharma.
With India’s spinners in top form, can Australia counter the spin threat, or will India’s mystery spin duo of Varun and Kuldeep guide them to the final?
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India vs New Zealand, Varun Chakravarthy, IND vs NZ, India in Semi-Finals, India vs Australia, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Kane Williamson, Cricket News