Varun Chakaravarthy's exceptional spin bowling emerged as the pivotal factor in India's impressive 44-run victory over New Zealand during their final group-stage match of the Champions Trophy on Sunday. In his tournament debut, the off-spinner confounded the New Zealand batsmen, achieving remarkable figures of 5 wickets for 42 runs in 10 overs. This performance enabled India to successfully defend a modest total of 249, securing the top position in Group A.

Despite the defeat, New Zealand advanced to the semifinals as the second-placed team.

Captain Rohit Sharma praised Chakaravarthy's significant contribution and elaborated on the decision to include him in the playing XI. He acknowledged, however, that the spinner's outstanding performance presents a 'pleasant dilemma' regarding team selection for the upcoming semifinal against Australia.

"He possesses a unique skill set, which is why we wanted to explore his capabilities. We need to deliberate on our strategy for the next match; it's a welcome challenge. If he maintains his form, he becomes quite difficult to decipher," Rohit stated during the post-match presentation.

Rohit on semi-final

India is set to compete against Australia in the first semifinal on Tuesday, while New Zealand will take on South Africa the following day in Lahore. Rohit acknowledged Australia's impressive track record in ICC tournaments but stressed that India would concentrate on their own performance.

"It promises to be an exciting match; Australia has a storied history of success in ICC tournaments, but our focus is on our own game plan for that day. It will be a thrilling contest, and I am eager for it. We hope to secure a favorable outcome," Rohit remarked.

Notably, this will mark India's first ODI encounter with Australia since the 2023 World Cup final, where Australia achieved a convincing six-wicket victory in Ahmedabad.

Given the Champions Trophy's brief format, Rohit emphasized the necessity of sustaining winning momentum and promptly addressing any errors.

"It is crucial to aim for victory in every match and to execute our strategies effectively in this short tournament. Quickly rectifying mistakes is vital as it indicates whether the team is progressing or regressing. Finishing strongly is essential. We executed our game plan well, and after being at 30/3, it was important to establish a partnership, which allowed us to reach a commendable total," Rohit stated.

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