Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has explained what makes Varun Chakravarthy a tough customer to face. Chakravarthy bagged a five-wicket haul against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai in the last group stage game of the Champions Trophy on Sunday.

India was defending a fighting target of 250 and Chakravarthy was able to tighten the screws in the middle overs. The 33-year-old returned with impressive figures of 5-42 in his quota of 10 overs and registered the second-best bowling figures in the Champions Trophy history for an Indian bowler.

Chakravarthy dismissed Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry.

Patel said it is difficult to read Chakravarthy from his hand and if a batter misses the line, there are high chances of getting a wicket.

“It is very difficult to read from his hand. And the pace with which he bowls is very difficult. So, I think, if a batter misses (the line), there is a higher chance of getting out. He is fast in the air also,” Axar said while talking to the media.

Axar also heaped praise on Varun Chakravarthy for making a strong comeback into the team. Chakravarthy didn’t have a great run in the 2021 T20 World Cup while playing in Dubai but redeemed himself on Sunday.

“Everyone is happy for him. It was his first match. I think the credit goes to him. It’s not that easy. When he played last in the T20 World Cup 2021, it was not that good. But the way he has come after that, his mental skill shows how ready he is mentally. I think he is getting carried forward in his one-day cricket as well,” Axar Patel added.

On the other hand, Axar Patel also scored a crucial knock of 42 runs and added 98 runs with Shreyas Iyer for the fourth wicket to help India get out of the rut. Patel also got the big wicket of Kane Williamson on the last ball of his spell.

India will take on Australia in the first semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Tuesday.