Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy starred in India's 44-run victory over New Zealand in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy encounter in Dubai. Chakravarthy, who made his Champions Trophy debut, took five wickets as India successfully defended 249. The star spinner is now one of only three Indians with a fifer in the tournament's history. Chakravarthy has been in sublime form in white-ball cricket. Despite chasing a modest 250, New Zealand lost Rachin Ravindra early on. Chakravarthy didn't let the Kiwis get away with a partnership thereafter, dismissing Will Young. While Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in during middle overs, Chakravarthy dismissed Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, and finally Matt Henry. Chakravarthy conceded 42 runs in 10 overs as the Kiwis perished for 205. As mentioned, Chakravarthy has become the third Indian to take a five-wicket haul in Champions Trophy history. He has joined Jadeja (5/36 vs West Indies, The Oval, 2013) and Mohammed Shami (5/53 vs Bangladesh, Dubai, 2025) on this list. Chakravarthy now also has the second-best figures on Champions Trophy debut, only behind Australia's Josh Hazlewood (6/52 vs New Zealand, Edgbaston, 2017). Chakravarthy recorded his maiden five-wicket haul in only his second ODI, the earliest by an Indian in their ODI career, as per Cricbuzz. Stuart Binny held the previous record for India. He registered 6/4 against Bangladesh in 2014, which was his third ODI. Chakravarthy is in the form of his life! He made a mark in the T20I series against England at home, finishing as the Player of the Series. He claimed 14 wickets, the most for an Indian in a bilateral T20I series. Due to this, Chakravarthy was a late entrant to India's squad for the England ODI series and Champions Trophy.