Discover how Varun Chakravarthy’s remarkable 5/42 performance propelled India to victory over New Zealand in the Champions League. Read more about this thrilling match.
Introduction:
India put on a masterclass in spin bowling to secure a crucial win over New Zealand, defending a target of 249 to clinch their sixth consecutive victory against a team that had troubled them in recent encounters. The addition of Varun Chakravarthy to the already formidable spin attack proved to be a masterstroke, as he claimed a five-wicket haul, avenging his disappointing performance at the same venue against Pakistan in 2021.
With this victory, India topped their group and arranged a semi-final encounter with Australia, while New Zealand and South Africa traveled back to Pakistan for their respective semi-final encounters. See also: Beth Mooney’s Masterclass Propels Giants to 81 Run Win
A Classic ODI with an Old-School Feel
This was a throwback to the good old ODI cricket, where the new ball seamed and swung in the first innings before the pitch eased up to support spinners. The lack of heavy dew further skewed the conditions in favor of the bowlers, making stroke-play progressively tougher as the match went on. See also: Virat Kohli’s Masterclass 100 Sinks Pakistan
Shreyas Iyer and Kane Williamson were struggling to find runs in difficult conditions, with Iyer scoring his slowest fifty and Williamson scoring his slowest 80 or more.
India’s Spin Web Stifles New Zealand
Despite Williamson’s resistance and a bit of luck for New Zealand, India’s spinners systematically destroyed the chase. Ravindra Jadeja caused the collapse by having Tom Latham lbw caught out on a reverse-sweep attempt in the 33rd over. After that, the momentum completely turned in favor of India.
India bowled 29 overs of spin in those 30 middle overs, an astonishing figure; the spinners shared a total of 37.3 overs, taking nine wickets at a cost of only 166 runs. Compared to the earlier two games in which India’s spinners had played a lesser part compared to that of their competitors, this performance was much superior.
Matt Henry’s Brilliance Keeps New Zealand in the Game
New Zealand’s tight seam assault proved instrumental in curtailing India’s innings. Matt Henry was outstanding, with five wickets, as Kyle Jamieson drew seam movement to haunt India’s top order. The New Zealand spinners also joined in, getting two wickets from 25 overs for 128 runs.
India were in early strife at 30 for 3, with a spectacular catch by Glenn Phillips getting rid of Virat Kohli. But Iyer and Axar Patel put up a spectacular fightback, playing a risk-free game that stabilized India’s innings.
Iyer and Axar Lead India’s Recovery
Iyer and Axar compiled a useful 98-run stand, showing patience and determination. There was a period when they survived 51 balls without a boundary, looking to build runs rather than playing impulsive shots. Iyer took the game along after a gingerly start, while Axar again showed his mettle as a solid all-rounder with a seasoned 42 from 61 deliveries.
Will O’Rourke eventually broke the stand, dismissing Iyer in the 37th over with a well-guided bouncer. The wicket slowed down India’s pace, but KL Rahul’s 23 off 29 and Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 45 helped them accumulate a fighting score.
Varun Chakravarthy Seal the Deal
With the new ball, Hardik filled in for Harshit Rana, creating movement early on. He got rid of Rachin Ravindra with a well-placed uppercut trap. But the turning point came when India brought in their spinners, especially Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand’s batsmen struggled to read Varun’s variations. Will Young was the first to get outdone by a wrong ‘ un, being caught out by a delivery he could not read off the pitch. Daryl Mitchell, too, was in trouble against India’s never-say-die spinners.
When the required run rate rose to six an over in the 23rd over, New Zealand’s options for scoring were narrowed to nudges, paddles, and the occasional loose ball. Kuldeep Yadav then had Mitchell lbw with a spot-on left-arm wrist spinner’s delivery, which tightened India’s hold on the game further.
Williamson’s Lone Battle and India’s Clinical Finish
Williamson and Latham tried to steady the chase with a 40-run stand, but Jadeja’s precision accuracy led to Latham’s fall. Having seven wickets in hand at the 30-over stage and half the target remaining, Williamson was left with the task of holding up the innings.
However, Varun returned to make that task nearly impossible. Phillips was deceived by an in-drifting half-volley immediately after launching a six. The decisive moment came when Varun bowled Michael Bracewell with a leg break disguised with a scrambled seam, a delivery that could potentially change how batters analyze his variations in future encounters.
Williamson, having survived several near-misses, finally succumbed to Axar Patel’s final ball, walking past a straight ball with the required rate mounting over nine runs an over.
Mitchell Santner attempted to stall the inevitable, but Varun finished off the innings in style. A medium-pace cross-seam ball at 113 kph shook Santner’s off-stump before Henry fell trying to hit out, rounding off Varun’s richly deserved five-wicket haul.
Conclusion: India’s Tactical Masterclass
India’s strategy of strengthening their spin attack worked splendidly, with Varun Chakravarthy’s five-for a big redemption at the venue that had marred his international career earlier. Their tactical sense, especially in employing spin in the second innings, made the difference.
With this triumph, India will now turn its attention to the semi-final confrontation against Australia, whereas New Zealand’s chances of progression depend on its next conflict with South Africa. If this pattern of form persists, then India will prove a force to be reckoned with in seeking the title.