New Zealand coach Gary Stead has acknowledged that India’s spinner Varun Chakravarthy poses a big challenge in the finals of the Champions Trophy 2025.
With the summit clash of the ICC ODI tournament set to be played this Sunday, the coach has is confident that Kiwis will be aiming to negate India’s mystery spinner.
Speaking to the reporters, Gary Stead said, “So, look, we certainly expect him to play after getting 5 for 42 against us in the last game. And yeah, we’ll be planning our, I guess, intentions around that as well.”
Having only played 3 ODIs, he has already picked 8 wickets with a return of 5/42. Varun Chakravarthy was a late inclusion in the India’s playing 11, for the final group stage matches against New Zealand after sealing their semi-finals.
He immediately had an impact picking a five-wicket haul that match helping the side to defend a total of 249.
“There’s no doubt he’s a class bowler. He obviously showed his skills against us last time and he’s a big, big threat in the game.”
“So, we’ll be putting our thinking caps on how we nullify that and how we can still score runs against him,” Stead said.
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“I think when you have a wrist spinner like that, then you’re looking for cues as a batsman. And I think it’s always a little bit easier when you’re in the daylight to see those things.”
The Kiwis coach Gary Stead has hinted that New Zealand might bat first, and further dealing Varun Chakravarthy factor and on who among his batters could take him in the finals.
“I think the pitch that we played on in the first game was quite different to the way that the semifinal played against Australia. So, again, it’ll be something we have to read on the day and adapt to what’s going on within the match.”
“But, yeah, all our batsmen will have their individual plans around how they want to combat them, and then it comes down to, I think, good communications in the middle and sometimes a little bit of bravery to take those options on.”
“So, we’re certainly up for that. We’re up for that challenge of what India will bring, and we know that they’ve got four very capable spinners.”
In the semi finals match against Australia in Dubai, Varun Chakravarthy picked two wickets for 49. The dangerous Travis Head was one of his victim.
India and New Zealand will clash once again in the finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 on March 09 at Dubai International Stadium.
