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Varun Chakaravarthy finished as India’s joint-highest wicket-taker of the Champions Trophy 2025 despite playing in just three matches.
Varun Chakaravarthy made a telling contribution in India’s triumph. (IG/chakaravarthyvarun)
India’s unbeaten run at the recently concluded Champions Trophy was in part attributed to the ‘advantage’ they enjoyed by playing at a single venue and not having to travel unlike other teams by few former and current players. Due to the geopolitical tensions with tournament host Pakistan, the BCCI didn’t send the Indian team across the border for the tournament and hence, a Hybrid Model was implemented that saw Rohit Sharma’s men play all their matches in Dubai.
Barring India, the other teams played in Pakistan where the matches were held across three venues. Group A teams including Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh had to fly to Dubai for their matches against India.
The South African and Australian teams had to camp in Dubai before the semifinal matchups became clear. As a result of India’s win over New Zealand in the final Group A match, South Africa had to fly back to Pakistan for the second semifinal in a short span of time.
Varun Chakaravarthy, who was a late entry into India’s Champions Trophy squad, has taken a subtle dig at the critics on Instagram, quipping “A lot of distance was travelled to get a taste of this Cup!!”
Chakaravarthy’s post is seemingly aimed at those claiming India benefitted by not having to travel across venues and between countries.
The 33-year-old finished with eight wickets – the joint-most for India in the tournament alongside Mohammed Shami.
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)