Former Indian off-spinner turned commentator Harbhajan Singh believes Varun Chakaravarthy’s lack of playing much cricket at the international level would help him. With this, batters subsequently struggled to read his variations as well. Playing in only his second ODI, Varun bowled a match-winning spell of 5 for 42 in 10 overs in India’s final Group A clash of the 2025 Champions Trophy against New Zealand in Dubai as well.
Talking about Varun’s heroics in a conversation with India Today, Harbhajan Singh said: “See, the magic portion is he’s not played much cricket. That is number one. People don’t know much about him, what he brings onto the table, and his arm speed is quite fast, and people are not watching his hand, which way the ball is spinning. People are trying to read him after pitching the ball, which is a very difficult thing.”
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“For any batter to do that, you have to see the hand, how the spinners are bowling, and what variation it is coming towards you, rather than picking, picking it up from the length. So that’s where, you know, the New Zealanders have made that mistake, not looking at his hand. And he’s one of those bowlers, full of confidence, and he took a lot of wickets against England,” he further added.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh advised Team India to continue playing with four specialist spinners in the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia in Dubai on Tuesday, March 4 as well.
“We have seen what spinners can do on this wicket. Four spinners against Australia. I definitely feel that this should be the team going forward. Whether Australia or South Africa come in the final, whatever team you meet in the final, or even if New Zealand come in the final, the same team should be carried forward and spinners will be key. People who play spin better and people who bowl well in terms of spin, will win most of their matches here on this ground. I think spinners will be key and India made the right choice by picking 4 spinners, and that should be the way forward,” Harbhajan Singh concluded.
