Aakash Chopra lauds Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy’s performances in 2025 Champions Trophy

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed the performances of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy after India lifted the Champions Trophy title at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday. 

Both the spinners bagged two wickets each in the summit clash and played a key role in restricting the opposition to 251. While Chakravarthy bagged nine wickets in three games of the Champions Trophy at an impressive average of 15.17, Kuldeep scalped seven wickets in five matches of the tournament.

Meanwhile, in the final, Kuldeep Yadav got the big wicket of Rachin Ravindra, who was looking good and was taking the game away from India. Yadav also accounted for Kane Williamson whereas Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Will Young and Glenn Phillips.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “A new ‘Kulcha’ has come. It used to be Kuldeep and Yuzi Chahal earlier. Now ‘Cha’ is Chakaravarthy. I will put my hand up and say that I thought Kuldeep might not get a chance in the final. However, Kuldeep got a chance and he bowled a googly to get the dangerous Rachin Ravindra out with his first ball.”

The renowned commentator feels Kuldeep Yadav’s double strike of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson was able to put India in front.

“He didn’t stop there. He got Kane Williamson out. You almost pushed them back by 25-30 runs. You instilled life in this game by dismissing Rachin Ravindra. Kuldeep Yadav has been outstanding. It seemed like he had floundered a little against Australia, but he has continued to impress. You need skills to pick up wickets in the middle overs,” he observed.

Chopra also hailed Varun Chakravarthy’s selection after the spinner bagged 14 wickets in five T20Is against England. Chakravarthy was added to the final squad in place of Yashasvi Jaiswal.

“Let’s talk about Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery. He was a slightly left-field selection. His name wasn’t even there in the initial selection. Harshit Rana came for Jasprit Bumrah and Varun came for Yashasvi Jaiswal. He didn’t play against Bangladesh and Pakistan, and you started wondering whether he would play or not,” he said.

Chopra highlighted that the mystery spinner was able to make a mark despite playing only three games.

“Then India went for the jugular. They played four spinners. They got Varun Chakaravarthy to bowl even in the powerplay. When Travis Head was hitting, he was given the ball. New Zealand got off to a flier. So he was called and got Will Young out. He played only three matches. In such a short career, he has made a mark,” Chopra observed.

Chakravarthy will play for KKR in the upcoming IPL.