NEW DELHI: Skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday said the X-factor mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy brings, influenced his selection for India’s Champions Trophy last group match against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.
Varun delivered an outstanding performance, picking 5 for 42 as India beat New Zealand by 44 runs to set-sup semi-final with Australia.
“He has got something different about him, so wanted to try and see what he had to offer. We got to think a little about what to do for the next game, it’s a good headache. If he gets it right, it’s very difficult to read him,” Rohit said of Chakaravarthy at the presentation ceremony.
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In the first semi-final India face Australia on Tuesday in Dubai, while New Zealand will play South Africa in Lahore in the second semi-final the following day.
“It will be a good game, Australia has a rich history of playing well in ICC tournaments, but is is about us and what we want to do on that particular day. It will be a great contest, looking forward to that. Hopefully we can stitch one towards us.”
“Critical to possibly win every game and doing everything right in a short tournament. Important to correct mistakes quickly, and that’s where we know if your team is going up or going down.
“Important to finish on a high. We played a perfect game. It was important at that stage (after being 30/3) to build a partnership, and I thought we got to a good total.”
Varun, who earned Player of the Match honors, learned about his selection the night before the game.
“I did feel nervous in the initial stages. I have not played many matches for India in the ODI format but as the game went on I felt better. Virat, Rohit, Shreyas and Hardik were talking to me and that helped,” Chakaravarthy said.
“I found out last night (that I would be playing). It was not a rank turner, but if you bowled in the right places it was giving help.”
