Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy delivered a stellar performance in the third T20I against England in Rajkot on Tuesday, dismantling the opposition with his skillful bowling. Chakravarthy first set the tone by removing England’s key batters Jos Buttler, Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton earlier in the innings, showcasing his ability to strike at crucial moments.
Varun Chakravarthy’s magical five-wicket haul stuns England in 3rd T20I
The crafty spinner returned to haunt England later in the innings, claiming two wickets in the same over. He dismissed Brydon Carse and followed it up with a sensational delivery to clean-bowl Jofra Archer for a duck on just the second ball Archer faced. With this remarkable effort, Varun Chakravarthy completed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is, finishing with figures highlighting his dominance over England’s batting lineup.
1. Brydon Carse dismissal (15.4 Over)
Looking to counter Chakravarthy’s spin, Carse attempted a sweep shot to a delivery that was pitched outside off and turning away from him. However, the shot selection proved unwise as he played against the turn and targeted the longer boundary at deep square leg. The lack of timing and placement caused the ball to balloon up, offering an easy catch to Tilak Varma stationed perfectly in the deep. Varun’s intelligent variation in pace and trajectory induced the false shot, leaving Carse with no option but to watch his dismissal unfold.
2. Jofra Archer dismissal (15.6 Over)
Archer’s stay at the crease was cut short by a deceptive delivery from Chakravarthy. The ball drifted in slightly before skidding sharply off the pitch, exploiting Archer’s uncertainty. Expecting a more conventional spin, Archer played down the wrong line, leaving a significant gap between his bat and pad. The ball snuck through this gap and crashed into the stumps, completing a spectacular dismissal. Varun’s ability to disguise the delivery and generate unexpected drift showcased his mastery, leaving Archer bemused and England deeper in trouble.
Here’s the video:
Double-wicket over 👌
Completion of fifer for Varun Chakaravarthy 👌
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India restricts England to 171 in the Rajkot T20I
The first innings saw a sensational bowling display from Chakravarthy who played a pivotal role in keeping England to 171/9. Opting to bowl first, India struck early through Hardik Pandya, removing Phil Salt cheaply. Ben Duckett led England’s counterattack with a rapid 51 off 28 balls, supported by Jos Buttler’s steady 24. However, Varun turned the game around in the middle overs, deceiving England’s batters with drift, turn, and pinpoint accuracy. His double strike in the 15th over, dismissing Carse and Archer, was the highlight of the innings. While Liam Livingstone’s explosive 43 off 24 ensured England crossed the 150-mark, the Indian bowlers, including Pandya (2/33) and Axar Patel (1/19), maintained control in the death overs.
