New Zealand plans to tackle India’s mystery spinner Varun in final
Ahead of the Champions Trophy Final, New Zealand coach Gary Stead revealed that the team is preparing strategies to counter India’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy.
Chakravarthy is at the center of attention after a stunning performance during the group stages. New Zealand was left reeling from his spin magic in the group match, and as the final approaches, the Kiwis are taking extra precautions. Stead confirmed that they are working on a game plan to handle the 33-year-old spinner.
India has been the only team to play all their matches in Dubai, and the conditions there have heavily favored spinners. In their first two games, India fielded three spinners, and in the next two, they played four.
Chakravarthy made his tournament debut against New Zealand in the group stage. In just his second-ever ODI, he took an impressive 5 wickets for 42 runs, helping India bowl New Zealand out for just 205 runs, defending their 249-run total with ease.
In the semi-final against Australia, Chakravarthy took 2 wickets for 49 runs, dismissing the dangerous Travis Head in his first over.
The final will take place in Dubai next Sunday, and Stead has confirmed that the team is carefully strategizing for Chakravarthy.
“After he took 5 wickets for 42 runs in our last match, we are certainly expecting him to play in the final. We will prepare accordingly.”
“He’s a very good bowler, no doubt about it. He showed his skills against us in the last match, and he’s a big, big threat. So, we will be thinking deeply about how to neutralize him and how to score runs against him.”
