Varun Chakravarthy-India's Unsung Hero on the Brink of Glory

The Champions Trophy 2025 has seen some great performances, but there has been one person who has stood out especially—Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery spinner has been instrumental in India's rampage through the tournament, displaying his special ability and cementing the reason why he is a rare gem in the domain of white-ball cricket. Although much of the spotlight falls on confirmed stars such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, previous India opener Murali Vijay lavished praise upon Chakravarthy and foresaw an auspicious future for the spinner.

A Star in the Making-Vijay's High Praise for Chakravarthy

Murali Vijay, while attending the sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament held by 'Habitat for Humanity India,' praised Chakravarthy's bowling as the best. In Vijay's opinion, the spinner's ability to control carrom balls and flippers makes him a gem of a player in today's game.

"I believe he is a world-class bowler," Vijay said in an exclusive interaction. "He is about to emerge as a world-class white-ball bowler, particularly in ODIs and T20s. It's not easy to come across a bowler with that kind of control over carrom balls and flippers, and seeing him deliver them so well is great."

With seven wickets from only two Champions Trophy matches, including a spectacular five-wicket return against New Zealand during the group stages, Chakravarthy has become one of the tournament's top wicket-takers. His effort has been critical to India's procession to the Dubai final, and the cricket world has begun to take note of his ability.

The Mental Toughness Behind the Success

India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav recently pointed out the mental toughness Chakravarthy has gained over the years. The spinner now stays calm regardless of the situation in the match, a very important quality for any top-level sportsperson, said Yadav. Vijay concurred, adding that this development is a natural process that follows regular exposure to international cricket.

"It's a natural process.". The more you play at the top level, the more you learn and get better. Each cricketer needs to give their 100% whenever they take to the field, and Varun is doing just that. To wear the Indian badge is a privilege, and once you receive the chance, you need to utilize it. That's what Varun has done in his career till now. I wish he keeps doing well and has a long and successful run in the Indian team.

Tamil Nadu's Pride-A Legacy of Talent

A proud Tamil Nadu cricketer himself, Vijay was especially thrilled to see another player from his state cut a swathe on the international front.

"Having him from my state makes me very happy. The Indian squad is full of great talent, and it's thrilling to see young players emerging and performing at the top level. As someone who played cricket and is a fan of Indian cricket, it's great to see these youngsters coming to the fore."

The success of Chakravarthy is evidence of India's strong cricket pipeline, which is still churning out match-winners in various formats.

India's Cricket Supremacy

India's national cricket team has been on an awe-inspiring roll over the last few years, and Vijay is convinced that the team's present dominance is putting other nations on catch-up mode.

"Seriously, India has been playing such amazing cricket for a very long time now. The team is in good form, the boys are fit, and the intent is excellent.". We are raising the bar for other teams, and they need to overtake us. The final of the Champions Trophy is going to be an enthralling competition, and I strongly believe that India will raise the trophy. We've not lost a game, and it will be a fantastic feat if we win the title.

The Shreyas Iyer Factor and Dhoni's Lasting Influence

One of the key aspects of India’s recent success has been the emergence of young players like Shreyas Iyer, who have taken up crucial roles in the batting lineup. Vijay acknowledged Iyer’s performances and credited MS Dhoni for setting the foundation that has allowed younger players to thrive.

“I’ve played with all of them, and as a senior, it’s great to see them perform at this level. Whether it’s Virat Kohli, who brings unmatched intensity to the game, or Shreyas Iyer, who has made the No. 4 spot his own, they have all adapted beautifully. Dhoni was instrumental in shaping this fearless approach. He led us and gave us the freedom to express ourselves on the field. Virat carried that forward, and now the younger players are building on it. They are no longer intimidated by the opposition; they are self-assured and ready for any challenge.

A Mental Shift in Indian Cricket

Vijay also referred to the major change in the Indian team's attitude over the years. He is of the view that the players now go into matches with a new confidence and self-belief.

"Mental change has been huge within the group, and it is great to see. They know what they have to do at this level, and they implement their strategy without any doubts. The desire to win and the fight they show are of top quality."

A Bright Future for Chakravarthy and Indian Cricket

As India prepares to face the Champions Trophy final, everyone's eyes will be on Varun Chakravarthy and the rest of the team to produce yet another dominating performance. With seasoned players leading the team and young sensations rising to the occasion at critical times, Indian cricket seems to be in its golden age.

Vijay's words of motivation for Chakravarthy are symptomatic of the greater faith in Indian cricket moving on an unbeatable upward slope. Be it the spin division, batting order, or the team as a whole, the present team epitomizes quality and consistency. As India attempts to win another ICC trophy, one thing becomes certain—cricketers such as Chakravarthy are the way forward, and their journey is only just set to begin.