Varun Chakravarthy's return to glory after humiliation in Dubai

Over three years after a poor outing against Pakistan in Dubai ended his India career, leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy has bounced back at the same venue to become India’s trump-card.

The leg-spinner, who bowls mystery balls, picked 5/42 in India’s last league match against New Zealand on Sunday to help his team win by 44 runs and top the pool. The top finish helped them set up a semi-final clash against Australia.  

It has also made him a contender for Tuesday’s semifinal against Australia.

“We just wanted to try and see what (Chakravarthy) can offer,” skipper Rohit Sharma after the game.

“He’s got something different about him, there’s no doubt about it. Varun was class today. If he gets it right, it’s very difficult to read him.

Sharma said that they will mull over the decision to play him.

“We’ve got to think about what we want to do in the next game (against Australia), obviously (the selection dilemma) is a good headache to have.”

New Zealand bowler Matt Henry, who also took a five-wicket haul, acknowledged the spinner’s performance.

“He bowled beautifully, didn't he?” Henry said after New Zealand’s loss to India.

“I think he showed his skill tonight, the way he turned the ball both ways, and even the way that he could bowl pace. I thought he was brilliant, and yeah, that they were able to put us under pressure right throughout.”

Of the 45.3 overs that India bowled, 37 of them were spin bowling.

“The Champions Trophy contender based in Dubai has well and truly leaned into slow bowling, as they refine their strategy on the UAE ground – a reality Australia will no doubt be expecting in their semi-final showdown,” said a comment from ICC.

Tags : Varun Chakravarthy, Champions Trophy, Dubai, India cricket team, Australia cricket team, New Zealand cricket, Pakistan