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Varun Chakaravarthy admitted that he was nervous coming into his Champions Trophy debut but credited senior stars to help him power through and deliver a five-wicket haul against New Zealand.
Varun Chakaravarthy took a five-wicket haul in his Champions Trophy debut. (Image: AP)
Mystery-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy stole the show after picking a five-wicket haul to help India take the win by 44 runs over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy group-stage clash at Dubai on Sunday.
The 33-year-old admitted that he had the nerves after knowing that he would start the game against the Kiwis, considering that he had not played much ODIs and this being his debut in the ICC tournament. He revealed that the likes of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya ensured that the bowler managed the nervousness as he went through his overs.
Chakaravarthy came to revive India’s chances with a fifer removing the likes of Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry as New Zealand were bundled out for 205 in 45.3 overs.
“First of all, I did feel nervous in the initial stages. I have not played many matches for India in the ODI format, but as the game went on, I felt better. Virat, Rohit, Shreyas and Hardik were talking to me, and that helped,” Chakaravarthy mentioned at the post-match presentation ceremony after winning the Player of the Match award.
The spinner mentioned that he got to know that he would play only on the night before and admitted concerns regarding the conditions, but his awareness helped in the end. He also credited the remaining spinners for their efforts as India secured the victory.
“I found out last night. I was definitely expecting to play for the country, but on the other hand, I was nervous. It was not a rank turner, but if you bowled in the right places, it was giving help. The way Kuldeep, Jaddu and Axar bowled, even the pace bowlers, it was a total team effort,” he shared.
With that win, India has now finished at the top of Group A, having won all three fixtures. Now, they will set their sights on the semi-final clash, which will be against Australia, led by Steve Smith. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be facing South Africa in their respective semi-final game.
India at the group stages remains the only side to be unbeaten in this edition of the tournament and will look to go on for the rest of the tournament without a defeat to secure their third Champions Trophy title.
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
