The Indian team secured a remarkable victory over New Zealand in their final group match of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament. With three wins in as many matches, India finished as the top team in Group A, setting the stage for the knockout rounds.
A standout performer in this thrilling contest was Varun Chakravarthy, who made history on his Champions Trophy debut by claiming a sensational five-wicket haul. His figures of 5/42 in 10 overs were instrumental in India’s victory, as the Men in Blue bowled New Zealand out for a modest total. Chakravarthy’s performance not only helped India secure the win but also etched his name in the record books.
The 33-year-old leg-spinner, who had only played one previous ODI for India, admitted to feeling the pressure ahead of such a big occasion. However, the calming words of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya were crucial in helping him settle down and perform at his best.
“I did feel nervous in the initial stages. Not played a lot for India in ODIs, so was nervous. As the game progressed, felt better. Virat, Rohit, Shreyas, Hardik, everyone was talking to me and asked me to calm down,” Chakravarthy shared after the match.
Varun went on to explain how the pitch, though not a rank-turner, supported spinners when bowled in the right areas. He credited the collective efforts of the team, including the contributions from Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and the pacers, who all played pivotal roles in India’s dominant display.
With his remarkable performance, Chakravarthy became the fastest Indian to claim a fifer in ODIs, achieving the feat in just his second match. The previous record was held by Stuart Binny, who took 6/4 against Bangladesh in 2014 in his third ODI. Furthermore, Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul was the second-best by any bowler on Champions Trophy debut, a testament to his composure and skill under pressure.
This victory further solidified India’s position as one of the tournament’s favorites, with Chakravarthy’s magical performance adding a new dimension to the team’s bowling attack as they march forward in the Champions Trophy 2025.
