IND vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma-led India made the call to bring in Varun Chakravarthy for the first time in the playing XI during the ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand on Sunday, and the spinner responded with a player-of-the-match performance, picking up 5/42. And the Indian captain said that it is now a ‘good headache’ to have before the semifinal on Tuesday. Varun was brought in to the XI in place of Harshit Rana, with Rohit saying the pacer was rested for this match.
“Look, Varun brings something different, there’s no doubt about it. We wanted to see what he could offer, and he proved he has much to offer,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation when asked about the decision to draft in a fourth spinner into the playing XI. “Obviously, we got to think a little bit about what we want to do in the next game. It is a good headache to have. But yeah, Varun was excellent today. If he executes well, he’s very difficult to read.”
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Earlier on commentary, after Varun dismissed Michael Bracewell, former India coach Ravi Shastri had said that the spinner from Tamil Nadu has made a strong case to be retained to play against Australia. “What he’s done is that he has put his hand up now for a spot in the semifinal in the playing XI, because the pitches will be the same, he has been outstanding tonight. Well more headaches for the think-tank and selectors,” Shastri said.
India picked five spinners in their squad, with Varun a late addition after the original 15 was named without him. After his good performances in the T20 series against England, the 33-year-old was included in the ODI squad too, and then replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal for the CT squad. In slower conditions without dew in Dubai, Varun has vindicated that move and potentially sealed his place to take on Australia.
