Varun Chakravarthy Leads India to Victory with Maiden Five-Wicket Haul in Champions Trophy

Image credits: Getty

Varun Chakravarthy, the Indian mystery spinner, has made a significant impact in the Champions Trophy, leading his team to a convincing 44-run victory over New Zealand. Chakravarthy's maiden five-wicket haul in the tournament was the key factor in India's win, as he bowled with precision and deception to restrict the New Zealand batsmen. The Indian team, which had already qualified for the semifinals, opted to field an experimental squad with four spinners and only one specialist fast bowler, and the decision paid off as Chakravarthy made an instant impact.

Chakravarthy's bowling performance was praised by former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who also complimented Shreyas Iyer's valiant knock of 79, which helped India recover from a top-order collapse and post a target of 250. The Indian spinners, including Chakravarthy, collectively picked up nine of the 10 wickets, with Chakravarthy's 5 for 42 being the standout performance. His bowling figures were identical to those of New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, who also took 5 for 42. Chakravarthy's mystery element and ability to bowl with variations made it difficult for the New Zealand batsmen to score, and his performance earned him the player-of-the-match award.

The Indian team's decision to include Chakravarthy in the squad was a bold one, but it paid off as he made an immediate impact. Chakravarthy admitted to feeling nervous initially but said that talking to senior players like Virat, Rohit, Shreyas, and Hardik helped him settle down. His performance has also sparked a debate about his inclusion in the Indian team for the semifinals, with many believing that he should be included in the playing XI. The Champions Trophy has seen some impressive performances from Indian players, and Chakravarthy's performance is certainly one of the highlights of the tournament so far.

The match between India and New Zealand was a low-scoring affair, with India posting a target of 250 and New Zealand falling short by 44 runs. The New Zealand batsmen struggled to score against the Indian spinners, with Kane Williamson being the only notable exception, scoring 81 runs. The Indian team's victory was a testament to their team effort, with all the players contributing to the win. The team's performance has been impressive in the Champions Trophy so far, and they will be looking to carry this momentum into the semifinals.

Here are the match scores:

• India: 249/9
• New Zealand: 205/10

• Varun Chakravarthy: 5 wickets for 42 runs
• Matt Henry: 5 wickets for 42 runs
• Shreyas Iyer: 79 runs
• Kane Williamson: 81 runs

1. India vs. Australia (semifinals)
2. New Zealand vs. England (semifinals)

1. India: 1st
2. New Zealand: 2nd
3. England: 3rd
4. Australia: 4th