Champions Trophy final: Wrist-spinners Chakravarthy, Kuldeep shine against NZ
What's the story
Wrist-spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav bowled tight spells as India restricted New Zealand to 251/7 in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai.
These Indian spinners took two wickets each and conceded under 50 runs.
While Kuldeep gave India two crucial breakthroughs right after the first powerplay, Chakravarthy restricted the flow of runs in middle overs.
Here are the key stats.
Chakravarthy
Chakravarthy breaks opening stand before getting Phillips
NZ made a brilliant start after Mitchell Santner elected to bat first.
Openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra added 51 runs in just seven overs, with the latter attacking the Indian seamers. However, Chakravarthy dismissed Young in the eighth over to get India started.
The Indian spinner later knocked over Glenn Phillips, who added a crucial 52-ball 34. He conceded 45 runs (10 overs).
Kuldeep
Kuldeep dismisses Ravindra, Williamson
Kuldeep came into the attack after the first powerplay. He struck on his very first ball, knocking over Ravindra. The Kiwi opener departed for a 29-ball 37.
On the second ball of his next over, Kuldeep caught and bowled Kane Williamson, reducing NZ to 75/3.
Kuldeep dismissed Williamson for the third time in ODI cricket. He conceded 40 runs in 10 overs.
Wickets
Joint second-most wickets for India in CT 2025
Chakravarthy was a late entrant to India's Champions Trophy squad. He made his tournament debut in the league game against NZ.
The mystery spinner straightaway made a mark by taking a record fifer. He took two wickets in the semi-final against Australia.
Playing just three games, Chakravarthy finished as India's joint second-highest wicket-taker of CT 2025, with Mohammed Shami (9). The former averaged 15.11.
Information
Seven wickets for Kuldeep
Kuldeep, who struck in crucial phases for India, finished with seven wickets from five matches at 31.85. He has now raced to 181 wickets in 113 ODIs at an average of 26.44.