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India made one change for their last group stage match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand and it paid dividends. Coming in for young pacer Harshit Rana, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy wreaked havoc with a record-breaking five-wicket haul and helped India defend a target of 250 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2. As Dubai pitch is spin-friendly, former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Chakravarthy should be in the side that plays Australia in the semifinal on March 4.
"Varun has put his hand up and delivered. He has put himself in contention for a spot in the XI in the semi-final," Shastri said.
"It's the right balance for this surface. You still have all the bases covered with the way Hardik is bowling. You have to see who gives you wickets in those middle overs. Varun Chakravarthy becomes crucial. I don't think Australia have seen much of him. And he is a good man to pick, as he was today," he added.
Chakravarthy was sensational on his ODI debut. His first wicket was Will Young who played down the wrong line and got bowled. Then, he got the prized wicket of an in-form Glenn Phillips. As pressure mounted on the Kiwis, he dismissed Michael Bracewell, skipper Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry to completed his maiden ODI fifer. In his full quota of 10 overs, he conceded 42 runs and preyed on half the kiwi side.
Indian skipper Rohit did not confirm Chakravarthy's place in the playing XI for the semifinal match against Steve Smith's Australia but said that the selection dilemma is a 'good headache'.
"He has something different about him, so wanted to try and see what he can offer. We haven't thought much about the next game, but good headache to have," Rohit said in the post-mtach presentation.
Chakravarthy enters record books
33-year-old Chakravarthy registered the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler on Champions Trophy debut. The previous best belonged to his teammate Mohammed Shami who grabbed a fifer against Bangladesh in India's opening game of the season. He is also the fastest Indian to take an ODI fifer in terms of matches played. His 5 for 42 is also the second-best bowling figures for India in Champions Trophy history.
