'He has been exceptional...' - Former India cricketer lauds Varun Chakaravarthy for his magnificent fifer against New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025

India's former cricketer Anil Kumble heaped praises on mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for taking a magnificent fifer in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Blue won their third group-stage game against New Zealand and are set to face Australia in the semi-finals. However, it was Varun's first game in the tournament, and he did very well with the ball. 

"I think Varun has been exceptional in the last 1-1.5 years, consistently winning matches for whichever team he has played for, whether it's Tamil Nadu or KKR or for India in T20Is. And now, today, getting an opportunity [in ODIs], because obviously India had already qualified. But going by the pitch and the conditions perhaps for the semi-final and hopefully for India, the final, this certainly augurs well," said Kumble. 

Varun came in place of Harshit Rana in the third game against New Zealand. The group-stage games have finally come to an end, and now India will face Australia, and South Africa will face New Zealand in the semi-finals. India will play on March 4 in Dubai, while the other game will be held in Lahore. The tournament has just got interesting, with the semi-finalists in red-hot form. 

Glenn Phillips took an unbelievable catch to dismiss him: Ambati Rayadu

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayadu lauds Virat Kohli for playing 300 ODI games in his career. Kohli has been exceptional throughout his career, having an average of around 58. In the previous game, he fell prey to New Zealand's Glenn Phillip's brilliant one-handed catch, or else Kohli would have done well with the bat as he came into the match after scoring a century against Pakistan. 

"The intent was there, and expectations were high. You could see in his eyes that he was focused, hungry for a big score. On big occasions, Virat Kohli usually rises to the challenge and gives us those celebratory moments. Unfortunately, today, Glenn Phillips made an unbelievable catch to dismiss him. It was just one of those days where luck wasn't on his side," said Ambati Rayadu.