As India and New Zealand prepare to face off in the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has highlighted India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy as a significant challenge for his team. The final is set to take place on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Speaking to the media, Stead acknowledged Chakravarthy’s exceptional performance in the tournament, particularly against New Zealand in the group stage, where he claimed five wickets for 42 runs. “He’s a class bowler and showed his skills against us last time. He’s a big threat in the game,” Stead remarked. The coach emphasized the need for strategic planning to counter Chakravarthy’s unique bowling style while maintaining scoring momentum.
Chakravarthy, who was a late addition to India’s squad as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah, has been a standout performer in the tournament. His ability to exploit the sluggish conditions in Dubai has made him a formidable opponent, as evidenced by his match-winning spells against both New Zealand and Australia.
Stead also addressed concerns about India’s familiarity with the Dubai pitch, noting that New Zealand would draw lessons from their previous game at the venue. “We’ve had a game here and will learn very quickly from that experience. It’s now about performing in this one-off final,” he added.
The final promises to be an electrifying contest as India aims to secure their third Champions Trophy title, while New Zealand looks to claim their second. With both teams bringing their best to the field, all eyes will be on how the Kiwis tackle the “big threat” posed by Varun Chakravarthy.
