Varun Chakravarthy's Fifer fells Kiwis

The result was slightly insignificant in the clash of Titans at Dubai.  That there were 3 left arm spinners and a leg spinner  - out of the total 45.3, they bowled 37.3 speaks volumes of the total dominance of India and spin bowling !!   ~  with his nice beard and bubbly looks, he looks an innocent hero !!

 

The player of the Match was a 33 year old wildly enthusiastic player who had had a dream wildcard entry into Champions trophy, having just played a solitary ODI prior to this, that too very recently.  He made his International debut in 2021 (played IPL even earlier) !!   

The news is - India will face Australia in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Tuesday after they beat New Zealand by 44 runs in the final group-stage fixture. New Zealand, meanwhile, will travel to Lahore to meet South Africa in the second semi-final on Wednesday. 

Axar Patel has been a revelation – with his superb fielding, batting higher up in the order and bowling tight spells -  with his last ball of the night, Axar Patel squeezed one past an advancing Williamson to seal the game for India. Finally, after having him dropped on 17 off his bowling, Axar had his man for a hard-fought 81 off 120.  The end was in sight then. 

Earlier good contributions from Shreyas Iyer 79, Axar 52 and Hardik Pandya quick 45 all took India to a respectable 249 – yet it looked a simple chase as Kiwis chased steadily.   Then Indian spinners spun a web around New Zealand to defend 249 for their sixth straight win.  They added Varun Chakravarthy to the three spinners they already were playing, and he responded with a five-for at a venue where an indifferent showing against Pakistan in 2022 led to a major setback to his international career. Finishing top of their group, India  are now scheduled to face Australia in the semi-final. New Zealand and South Africa fly back to Pakistan for their semi-final on Wednesday. 

Varun Chakravarthy Vinod (born 1991) is an IPL star having been a regular for   Kolkata Knight Riders.  Touted a mystery bowler,  made his T20I international debut in July 2021 becoming  the second oldest player after Farookh Engineer to debut in ODI.  Though a Chennaite, playing TNPL, he was born in Bidar, Karnataka and bowls right arm leg breaks and googlies. 

His first International wicket was Dasun Shanaka, stumped by Ishan Kishan at Colombo on 25.6.2021 and he opened the bowling with Jasprit Bumrah in the 37th group match at Dubai in  2021, ICC Men's T20 World Cup.  

When he burst on the scene, he was dreaded for his Carrom ball and many a variations but slowly faded and was benched by KKR – in recent couple of years, he has reinvented himself bowling better and finer. Now his  repertoire includes many varieties including overspin. 

Today his 5 for ensured India another comfortable win and won him the player of the match.  Well bowled – Varun Chakaravarthy.

 
Regards S Sampathkumar
2.3.2025