India secured a convincing 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final Group A match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, thanks to stellar performances from Varun Chakaravarthy and Shreyas Iyer. The win marked India’s third consecutive triumph in the tournament, setting them up strongly for the semi-finals.

Opting to field first, New Zealand’s bowlers put India under pressure early on. A fiery spell from Matt Henry (5/42) saw India struggling at one stage, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. However, Shreyas Iyer played a composed innings of 79 runs, guiding India to a competitive total of 249/9. His efforts ensured India had a fighting chance despite the top-order collapse.

In response, New Zealand appeared confident, especially after skipper Kane Williamson’s classy knock of 81. However, the Indian spinners took control of the game, exploiting the slow and low nature of the Dubai pitch. The spin trio dominated proceedings, claiming nine of the 10 wickets, with Varun Chakaravarthy leading the charge. The mystery spinner, playing his first game of the tournament, registered a remarkable 5 for 42—his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs. His spell completely dismantled New Zealand’s middle order, leaving them struggling to keep up with the required rate.

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar was among those who took notice of India’s all-round performance. While Varun’s brilliance with the ball stood out, Tendulkar also highlighted the significance of Shreyas Iyer’s innings. Taking to social media, the former India captain praised both match-winners, emphasizing how their efforts shaped India’s win.

“Shreyas Iyer played an important innings, and Varun Chakaravarthy’s spell made sure India stayed ahead. A good team win!” Tendulkar wrote.

Varun’s spell was historic in more ways than one. His 5 for 42 was the second-best bowling figure by an Indian in the Champions Trophy and also the second-best on debut in an ICC event. Additionally, he became the fastest Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in ODIs, achieving the feat in just his second match, surpassing Stuart Binny’s record (6/4 against Bangladesh in 2014).

Speaking after the match, Varun admitted to feeling nervous initially but credited senior players for helping him settle down. “I felt nervous in the beginning as I haven’t played many ODIs. But as the game progressed, I gained confidence. Conversations with Virat, Rohit, Shreyas, and Hardik helped me a lot,” he said.

With India now heading into the semi-finals in dominant form, the performances of Varun Chakaravarthy and Shreyas Iyer will be crucial in their quest for the Champions Trophy title.

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