Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has lauded Varun Chakaravarthy for his match-winning performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, attributing his success to the element of mystery surrounding his bowling.
Varun’s exceptional spell of 5 for 42 in 10 overs against New Zealand in India’s final Group A match in Dubai helped the team secure a 44-run victory and finish atop the group. This performance also saw him make a significant comeback to the Indian squad, building on to his form from the T20I format.
Harbhajan believes that one of the key reasons Varun has been so effective is his relatively limited exposure in international cricket. According to the veteran spinner, this lack of visibility makes it difficult for batters to read his variations, particularly because they struggle to pick up his hand movements.
Harbhajan explained, “See, the magic portion is he’s not played much cricket. That is number one. People don’t know much about him, what he brings onto the table, and his arm speed is quite fast, and people are not watching his hand, which way the ball is spinning.”
The lack of familiarity with Varun’s hand positions, Harbhajan argues, forces batters to try and pick the ball up after it has pitched, which is a much harder task than reading it from the bowler’s delivery.
“For any batter to do that, you have to see the hand, how the spinners are bowling, and what variation it is coming towards you, rather than picking it up from the length. So that’s where the New Zealanders made that mistake, not looking at his hand,” Harbhajan added.
Varun’s remarkable turnaround in his international career has been impressive. After a slow start in 2021, he has emerged as a key player for India in T20Is, picking up 31 wickets in just 12 matches since late last year. His stellar performance against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy is just the latest milestone in a journey that has seen him become one of India’s most feared spinners.
Harbhajan also praised India’s strategy of employing a four-pronged spin attack, suggesting it should continue in the semifinal against Australia. He emphasized the importance of spinners on the Dubai pitch, where spin bowlers have historically had a significant impact. “We have seen what spinners can do on this wicket. Four spinners against Australia. I definitely feel that this should be the team going forward,” he stated.
As India prepares for their crucial semifinal clash, the confidence in their spin bowling, bolstered by Varun’s impressive performance, is palpable. Harbhajan’s advice to back four spinners could play a decisive role in India’s hopes of clinching the title, especially with Varun’s mystery spin still a major weapon in their arsenal.
