Ravindra Jadeja was just left in shock and disbelief, as Glenn Phillips got a massive lifeline after Shubman Gill spilled a tough chance at deep mid-wicket during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final between India and New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.
On the last delivery of the 36th over, Ravindra Jadeja bowled a length delivery on the middle, and Glenn Phillips went to the back foot and unleashed a powerful pull shot towards deep mid-wicket. Shubman Gill spotted the ball late in the shadows, but moved swiftly, diving to his left in an attempt to grab the catch.
Ravindra Jadeja gets furious at Shubman Gill as Glenn Phillips gets lifeline in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
However, India’s vice-captain got his fingers under the ball, but he failed to hold on. The ball dipped sharply, making it tricky, but given his positioning and sunglasses, Gill should have grabbed the chance. As India missed a golden opportunity to dismiss the dangerous Glenn Phillips, Ravindra Jadeja was seen visibly frustrated with Gill.
After Gill dropped Phillips, Ravindra Jadeja angrily gestured towards the vice-captain that what he was doing was a big mistake, and the youngster didn’t react, knowing what a big mistake he made. Well, Ravindra Jadeja finished his 10-over spell with one wicket, giving away 30 runs to the Black Caps.
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Varun Chakravarthy stuns Glenn Phillips with a cunning delivery
However, Varun Chakravarthy delivered a massive breakthrough when New Zealand was looking to accelerate, as the mystery spinner completely deceived Glenn Phillips with a well-planned googly.
Varun, who had been firing quicker deliveries, suddenly slowed it down and gave it more flight. The ball landed outside off, turned sharply back in, and sneaked through the big gap between bat and pad as Phillips attempted a cut shot against the Indian spinner.
The stumps went flying, and Chakravarthy erupted in celebration as Phillips walked back to the pavilion after scoring 34 off 52 balls with two boundaries and a six, as the Black Caps’ hopes of finishing on high shattered in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final.
However, Varun injured himself while saving a boundary from Daryl Mitchell off his own delivery. In the 42nd over, the mystery spinner went down in pain after taking a brutal hit on his right foot during the high-stakes encounter in Dubai.
The impact was severe, as Chakravarthy immediately collapsed to the ground, clutching his foot in pain. Rohit Sharma rushed to check on him as the Indian camp held its breath. The physio quickly ran onto the field, and play was halted as Chakravarthy was receiving medical attention. However, the Indian spinner completed his over against the Black Caps.
Varun reminds me of BS Chandrasekhar: Farokh Engineer
However, he is looking a little uncomfortable. Recently, Indian cricket great Farokh Engineer hailed Varun and India’s tactic to use four spinners in the tournament.
Engineer was quoted as saying by Times Of India, “India has class spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun. You know what, Varun reminds me of BS Chandrasekhar. It is wonderful that India is playing to their strengths (by using four spinners). Horses for courses depending on the pitches they are playing.”
