Varun Chakravarthy stars as India beats New Zealand by 44 runs in Champions Trophy 2025.

In a thrilling encounter at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, India triumphed over New Zealand by 44 runs, with Varun Chakravarthy’s exceptional bowling performance playing a pivotal role in the victory. The match, held at a packed stadium, saw India posting a competitive total, and despite a resilient fight from New Zealand, the men in blue held their nerve to secure a crucial win in the tournament.

A Solid Foundation from India

Batting first after winning the toss, India set the tone for the match with a steady yet aggressive start. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid foundation at the top, with the former playing a responsible knock, anchoring the innings as Gill showcased his striking ability with a couple of scintillating boundaries. The duo looked in fine form, but New Zealand’s bowlers kept the pressure on, executing their plans with precision.

Despite losing early wickets, including the quick dismissals of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, India’s middle order held firm. Hardik Pandya played an important role, accelerating the scoring with some powerful strokes, while Ravindra Jadeja provided the necessary support in the later stages of the innings. India’s total eventually read 270/6 from their 50 overs, a total that looked competitive on a pitch that was expected to offer assistance to the bowlers.

New Zealand’s Fightback

Chasing a target of 271, New Zealand’s openers, Devon Conway and Finn Allen, began cautiously, knowing that the chase wouldn’t be an easy one. The pair played with a sense of control, accumulating runs at a steady rate. However, they were up against a formidable Indian bowling attack, which was determined to make early inroads.

At this point, the spotlight shifted to Varun Chakravarthy, India’s mystery spinner, who had a decisive impact on the game. Chakravarthy’s ability to deceive the batsmen with his flight, variation, and precision was on full display. After a tight first spell, he struck crucial blows, removing both Conway and Allen in quick succession. His spell of 4/35 was a game-changer, as New Zealand lost their momentum and began to falter under pressure.

Chakravarthy’s Masterclass

Chakravarthy’s performance in this match was nothing short of exceptional. The 31-year-old leg-spinner has often been India’s trump card in white-ball cricket, and this game was a testament to his growing reputation. His delivery to dismiss Conway, a leg-break that spun sharply, was an absolute peach, and it left the New Zealand batsman stranded. With each wicket he took, Chakravarthy’s confidence grew, and the Indian fielders rallied behind him, making crucial stops and running out New Zealand’s tailenders.

The key to Chakravarthy’s success was his ability to bowl in the right areas and his knack for varying his pace and spin. His variations, including the googly and the slider, completely outfoxed the New Zealand batsmen, who struggled to get a handle on his spin.

New Zealand’s Collapse

With the fall of the top order, New Zealand found themselves under immense pressure, and despite a few useful contributions from the middle order, the required run rate continued to climb. Captain Kane Williamson fought valiantly, but without substantial support from his partners, it was always going to be an uphill battle.

As the overs ticked by, India’s bowlers, including Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur, maintained the pressure, ensuring there were no easy runs. New Zealand’s chase eventually ended at 226, handing India a well-deserved victory by 44 runs.

A Game to Remember

This win was a significant one for India, not only because of the points secured in the tournament but also due to the individual brilliance of Varun Chakravarthy. His spell was the turning point in the match, and his ability to break partnerships and stifle the opposition’s progress showed his maturity as a bowler in international cricket.

With this win, India continues to make its mark in the Champions Trophy 2025, and Chakravarthy’s performance was a reminder of the importance of spin in modern-day cricket. As the tournament progresses, India will be looking to build on this momentum and eye a deep run in the competition. For New Zealand, it’s back to the drawing board, as they will need to regroup quickly if they are to stay alive in the tournament.