Varun Chakravarthy’s selection for India’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand proved pivotal, as he delivered an impressive 5/42, helping India secure a 44-run victory and top Group A. Captain Rohit Sharma praised Chakravarthy’s unique bowling style, creating a dilemma for strategizing the semifinal against Australia. Rohit emphasized the importance of maintaining winning momentum in a short tournament and quickly correcting mistakes. Chakravarthy, who learned he would play just before the match, felt nervous initially but gained confidence thanks to support from teammates. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India’s spinners exploited the turning pitch effectively.
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<p>Champions Trophy 2025: Varun Chakravarthy celebrating with his Indian cricket teammates.<span class="sp_cred">© AFP</span></p>
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<p>The unique skills of mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy played a significant role in his selection for India's final group match in the Champions Trophy against New Zealand, as Captain Rohit Sharma remarked on Sunday after the decision proved to be a brilliant tactic. Chakravarthy delivered a stellar performance, posting figures of 5/42 in 10 overs, helping India secure a convincing 44-run win to finish at the top of Group A, advancing to the semifinals alongside New Zealand in second place. "He possesses a unique element, which is why we wanted to see what he could bring to the table. We have to strategize for the next match; it’s a pleasant dilemma. If he finds his rhythm, he's hard to decipher," Rohit stated during the presentation ceremony.</p>
<p>India is set to face Australia in the first semifinal on Tuesday, while New Zealand will compete against South Africa the following day in Lahore.</p>
<p>"It's going to be an exciting game; Australia has a formidable history in ICC tournaments, but our focus will be on our performance that day. It promises to be a thrilling contest, and we are eagerly anticipating it. Hopefully, we can take the victory," Rohit added.</p>
<p>He emphasized the necessity of sustaining momentum in a tournament as concise as the Champions Trophy.</p>
<p>"It's vital to aim for victory in every match and execute our game plans correctly in such a short tournament. Quickly addressing mistakes is crucial, as it reveals the team's trajectory—whether we're improving or declining."</p>
<p>"Finishing with a strong performance is essential. We executed our game plan flawlessly. Given our position (after being 30/3), building partnerships was key, and we managed to achieve a respectable total." Player of the Match Chakravarthy mentioned that he learned about his inclusion in the lineup on Saturday night.</p>
<p>"I felt a bit anxious at first. Having not played many ODI matches for India, I gradually settled into the game. Virat, Rohit, Shreyas, and Hardik provided encouragement, which really helped," Chakravarthy shared.</p>
<p>"I found out last night that I would be playing. The pitch didn’t offer excessive turn, but if you bowled in the right areas, there was assistance." New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that the pitch turned more while they were batting, and India’s four quality spinners took full advantage of it.</p>
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