IND vs NZ: Varun Chakravarthy becomes second Indian bowler to pick a 5-fer on ICC Champions Trophy debut

Varun Chakravarthy was named Player of the Match against New Zealand.

On Sunday, March 2, India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs to finish the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage as the toppers of Group A with six points from three games.

After being asked to bat first on a turning Dubai pitch, India were led by Shreyas Iyer 79 off 98 balls, which included four fours and two sixes. All-rounders Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya chipped in with 42 and 45 runs respectively, helping India reach a competitive score of 249.

In the second innings, Indian spinners bowled tightly to restrict the run flow of the Kiwis. The resulting pressure forced New Zealand batsmen to play rash shots and give away their wickets.

Playing his first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Varun Chakaravarthy was named Player of the Match for his figures of 5/42.

Varun Chakravarthy becomes second Indian bowler to pick a 5-fer on ICC Champions Trophy debut

Varun Chakravarthy also became only the second Indian bowler to pick a fifer on ICC Champions Trophy debut after Mohammed Shami, who achieved this feat in India’s first match of the campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.

Shami’s heroics in that game helped India restrict Bangladesh to just 228 runs. He dismissed Soumya Sarkar and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in his first spell before removing Jaker Ali, Tanzim Shakib, and Taskin Ahmed with the old ball.

The Indian management will now look to include Varun in their playing XI in the semi-final against Australia. The Aussies have batted well in the tournament so far, but will be tested against India’s quality spinners.

Best figures on Champions Trophy debut:

Varun Chakravarthy’s remarkable tally places him second on the all-time list of best bowling figures on ICC Champions Trophy debut. He is behind Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, who took 6/52 in 2017 against England.

1. 6/52 Josh Hazlewood vs NZ Edgbaston 2017

2. 5/42 Varun Chakaravarthy vs NZ Dubai 2025

3. 5/53 Mohd Shami vs Ban Dubai 2025

Best figures for India in Champions Trophy

In the Indian circuit, Varun’s spell has only been bettered by Ravindra Jadeja in ICC Champions Trophy history. Jadeja took 5/36 against West Indies in 2013.

1. 5/36 Ravindra Jadeja vs WI The Oval 2013

2. 5/42 Varun Chakaravarthy vs NZ Dubai 2025

3. 5/53 Mohammed Shami vs Ban Dubai 2025

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