Varun Chakaravarthy's previous outings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium were not memorable; during the 2021 T20 World Cup, he finished with no wickets across three matches. On Sunday, he faced challenges at the same venue during his Champions Trophy debut against New Zealand. His day started poorly when he dropped an easy catch off a Free Hit while fielding at mid-on, allowing the ball to slip through his hands and over the boundary in the fourth over of New Zealand's innings.
However, the Varun of 2025 has undergone significant development as a cricketer compared to four years ago. He delivered a spectacular bowling performance, claiming five wickets for 42 runs in his ten overs. This remarkable display played a crucial role in India's 44-run victory over New Zealand, solidifying their position at the top of Group A as they advanced to the semifinals, where they are set to face Australia on Tuesday.
In this match, India set a target of 250 runs for New Zealand to chase. Chakaravarthy, who replaced Harshit Rana in the playing XI, utilized his skills as a spinner to dismantle the Kiwi batting lineup effectively. Supported by the contributions of Shreyas Iyer, who scored a commendable 79 runs, along with a quickfire 45 from Hardik Pandya, India managed to post a total of 249 runs for nine wickets.
In response, the Black Caps struggled to build momentum against India's effective four-pronged spin attack. Only Kane Williamson, who scored a resolute 81 runs off 120 balls, appeared capable of tackling the challenge posed by Varun's variations. The remaining New Zealand batsmen faced difficulties, often misjudging the delivery and succumbing to the spinner's strategy.
The momentum shifted when Hardik Pandya claimed the first wicket by catching Rachin Ravindra at third-man off a well-timed ramp shot. Shortly after, Varun Chakaravarthy took charge, removing Finn Allen, who was bowled while attempting to defend a good delivery. Kuldeep Yadav also played a significant role, trapping Daryl Mitchell leg before wicket, while Ravindra Jadeja accounted for Tom Latham, further destabilizing New Zealand's chase.
Varun escalated his impact in the latter phase of the innings, dismissing the aggressive Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell in consecutive overs. Both batsmen failed to read the googly and were struck adjacent to their pads. At this point, New Zealand's score plummeted to 159 for six, and when Axar Patel stumped Williamson, the final shred of resolve disappeared. Varun then wrapped up the tail, marking his maiden five-wicket haul in just his second One Day International.
India's batting innings faced challenges early on, as the top-order struggled to find their rhythm. Matt Henry of New Zealand rattled through the Indian lineup during the PowerPlay, securing two crucial wickets and leaving the team in a precarious position at 30 for three after they were put in to bat first. Virat Kohli, in his 300th ODI, could not capitalize on the excellent form he displayed in the previous match, contributing a mere 11 runs. His attempt at a square cut off Henry resulted in a stunning catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point, marking a disheartening moment for the Indian side.
Shreyas Iyer then found a reliable partner in Axar Patel, as the pair combined for a 98-run partnership off 136 balls for the fourth wicket. Axar provided vital stability, breaking away from the pressure by executing a well-placed sweep off Mitchell Santner. Following this, Shreyas shifted gears, striking three consecutive boundaries off Will O’Rourke, showcasing an impressive lofted drive coupled with well-timed pulls.
Upon reaching his half-century, Shreyas accelerated his scoring, launching several sixes before being dismissed by a bouncer from O’Rourke. With their innings at a critical juncture at 182 for six, Hardik Pandya stepped in to provide the necessary impetus in the final ten overs, enabling India to finish with a competitive total.
This victory not only underlines Varun Chakaravarthy's transformation as a bowler but also highlights the resilience within the Indian batting order. As India prepares for their semifinal encounter against Australia, the momentum gained from this performance could serve as a crucial factor in their tournament journey. The solid show put forth by the bowlers, alongside key batting contributions, could be pivotal as India aims to secure a place in the finals of the Champions Trophy.