Varun Chakaravarthy Joins Elite Club with Five-Wicket Haul on Champions Trophy Debut
Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy etched his name in history on Sunday (March 2) by becoming only the second Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul on his Champions Trophy debut.
The 33-year-old was included in the playing XI for India’s Group A match against New Zealand, replacing Harshit Rana. Chakaravarthy finished with impressive figures of 5 for 42 in 10 overs.
Chakaravarthy’s Five-Wicket Haul
Chakaravarthy opened his account in the 12th over of the second innings by breaching Will Young’s defense and dismantling his stumps. Young managed 22 runs from 35 balls.
His second wicket was Glenn Phillips, trapped lbw for 12 off 8 balls. Michael Bracewell soon followed, also lbw for just 2 runs.
Chakaravarthy then wrapped up his five-wicket haul by dismissing Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry in his final over. Santner was bowled, while Henry was caught by Virat Kohli.
India’s Bowling Dominance in Champions Trophy
During India’s first match of the tournament, Mohammed Shami had also taken a five-wicket haul, recording figures of 5 for 53 against Bangladesh.
Chakaravarthy’s feat now places him among the elite Indian bowlers to achieve this milestone in the Champions Trophy.
Indian Bowlers with Five-Wicket Hauls in Champions Trophy:
- Ravindra Jadeja: 5/36 vs West Indies (June 11, 2013, The Oval)
- Mohammed Shami: 5/53 vs Bangladesh (February 20, 2025, Dubai)
- Varun Chakaravarthy: 5/42 vs New Zealand (March 2, 2025, Dubai)
Chakaravarthy’s figures rank as the second-best for an Indian bowler in the Champions Trophy.
His contribution helped India secure a 44-run victory over New Zealand, marking their third consecutive win in the tournament.
Best Bowling Figures for India in Champions Trophy:
- Ravindra Jadeja: 5/36 vs West Indies (2013)
- Varun Chakaravarthy: 5/42 vs New Zealand (2025)
- Mohammed Shami: 5/53 vs Bangladesh (2025)
- Sachin Tendulkar: 4/38 vs Australia (1998)
Zaheer Khan: 4/45 vs Zimbabwe (2002)
India’s Road to the Semifinals
With three consecutive wins in Group A, India advanced to the semifinals, where they will face Australia on Tuesday (March 4) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The winner will progress to the final on Sunday (March 9) in Dubai, facing either South Africa or New Zealand.
Google Searches Surge for Varun Chakaravarthy
Chakaravarthy’s exceptional performance made waves online, leading to a surge in Google searches. By 9:38 pm on Sunday, ‘Varun Chakaravarthy’ was among the most searched terms in India.
Legendary spinner Anil Kumble praised Chakaravarthy for his match-winning performance, noting his ability to deliver consistent results over the past 1.5 years.
Chakaravarthy was a late addition to India’s Champions Trophy squad, replacing left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.
His inclusion was questioned due to India’s heavy reliance on spinners for Dubai’s slow pitches, but Sunday’s performance justified the decision.
Kumble stated, “Varun has been exceptional over the last 1.5 years, winning matches for Tamil Nadu, KKR, and India. His inclusion in the playing XI was a smart move.”
Chakaravarthy’s Impact and Strategy
Chakaravarthy first dismissed Will Young and later removed Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell in consecutive overs.
He then claimed Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry to complete his five-wicket haul. His impressive spell ensured India finished as Group A toppers.
Chakaravarthy could again play a key role in the semifinal against Australia. Kumble believes Australia will struggle against India’s four-pronged spin attack. “If India continues to play on similar pitches, this spin quartet will be difficult to handle,” he said.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s Journey to Stardom
Chakaravarthy had an unconventional rise to cricketing stardom. Until the age of 26, he never considered professional cricket, initially pursuing careers in architecture and filmmaking.
His cricketing breakthrough came through the IPL, leading to his selection for India.
He refined his bowling by analyzing the game deeply, using knowledge from the Vijay Hazare Trophy to enhance his ODI skills. “My ball sequencing in T20s is completely different from ODIs,” he explained.
His ability to adapt and strategically vary his deliveries has made him an invaluable asset to Team India.
Redemption from the 2021 T20 World Cup
Chakaravarthy’s latest success contrasts sharply with his struggles during the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he had a disappointing outing against Pakistan.
Speaking after his match-winning spell, he reflected on his past challenges. “In 2021, I didn’t have a great tournament. But today, I feel good, and Team India is doing well,” he said.
He credited Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya for helping him stay calm during the match. “Their words of encouragement really helped me,” he added.
Facing Australia in the Semifinal
Looking ahead to the crucial semifinal clash, Chakaravarthy emphasized the importance of treating every team with respect.
“Any team that comes, we have to give our best,” he said. India’s strong spin attack could be the deciding factor in their quest for the Champions Trophy title.
