ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Varun Chakravarthy makes a direct entry into the India playing XI for the semis?

As India secured a crucial 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final group-stage match, advancing to the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu shared his thoughts on the team's performance. India’s win was built on a collective effort, with contributions from various players across both batting and bowling departments. However, it was Varun Chakravarthy who stole the spotlight with a brilliant performance, taking a five-wicket haul in his first match of the tournament. Chakravarthy replaced Harshit Rana in the playing XI after missing out on the first two games against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Can Varun Chakravarthy be the key for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semis?

The mystery spinner's exceptional figures of 5/42 were instrumental in India’s victory, as he dismantled New Zealand’s middle order and provided crucial breakthroughs when they were threatening to chase down India’s total. Rayudu was particularly impressed by the performance of India’s spinners, and he specifically praised Chakravarthy for his outstanding contribution. Chakravarthy’s brilliant spell earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award, highlighting his impact in the crucial clash. Rayudu acknowledged the importance of the spin department in India's success, stating that the spinners, led by Chakravarthy, played a pivotal role in ensuring India's progression to the semi-finals of the tournament.

"Varun was great today. Early in his career, he wasn’t very consistent with his lines and lengths. But now, his bowling makes him a very difficult bowler to face. His action naturally makes it look like he’s delivering left-arm spin, but 90% of his deliveries are googlies, making it tough for batsmen who haven’t faced him before. I don't think many New Zealand batsmen have played against him much, and he will only continue to improve for India," stated former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu. 

"His impressive performance might have created a selection dilemma heading into the semi-finals. India will have a tough time deciding, with so many big players to choose from, but Varun Chakravarthy has been brilliant. We’ve seen his impact in India, and all the spinners were outstanding today—Jadeja was amazing, and all four spinners bowled exceptionally well. The pitch definitely assisted them, but New Zealand’s batsmen also struggled against spin, which is an area they will need to improve," he added. 

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has identified Varun Chakravarthy as a potential match-winner for India in their upcoming ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia. Chopra acknowledged that, like many others, he had previously questioned Chakravarthy’s inclusion in the squad, given his limited opportunities in the earlier stages of the tournament. However, after Chakravarthy’s stellar performance against New Zealand in the final group-stage match, where he claimed a five-wicket haul, Chopra believes the spinner could be a key figure in India's pursuit of victory.

Chopra praised Chakravarthy's skill and ability to turn games around, noting that his mystery spin could prove to be a game-changing factor in the high-pressure semi-final against a strong Australian side. The former cricketer emphasized that while spinners like Chakravarthy might not always receive the spotlight in limited-overs cricket, their role in crucial matches can be invaluable, especially when conditions favor spin. Chopra’s comments reflect a shift in perception about Chakravarthy’s potential, with the spinner now viewed as a crucial player who could have a significant impact in the semi-final. With his match-winning capabilities on display, Chakravarthy will be eager to prove his worth once again when India faces Australia in the tournament’s next phase.

"He has got something different about him, so wanted to try and see what he had to offer. We got to think a little about what to do for the next game, it's a good headache. If he gets it right, it's very difficult to read him," stated Indian captain Rohit Sharma during the post-match presentation. 

Predicted India playing XI

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.