The Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) seems to hold a karmic connection with Varun Chakravarthy. Back in 2021, then-India coach Ravi Shastri spotted his talent here, endorsing him as a match-winner and even recommending him for India’s Test squad for the Australian tour. However, just days later, his aura was shattered when Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan treated him with disdain, as Pakistan cruised to a dominant 10-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup. His mystery spin looked ineffective, and his struggles continued against New Zealand when he went wicketless after opening the bowling.

Fast forward to Sunday night, and Chakravarthy scripted his comeback at the very venue that once haunted him. Playing in an experimental Indian squad featuring four spinners and just one specialist pacer, Chakravarthy silenced critics with a remarkable five-wicket haul, leading India to a convincing 44-run victory in a low-scoring contest.

Reflecting on his past struggles in Dubai, Chakravarthy acknowledged, “Yeah, 2021 wasn’t great for me here. But I feel I bowled decently, even though the results didn’t go our way. It feels good now, and Team India is in great form.”

Bowling across three spells in his full quota of ten overs, Chakravarthy dismantled New Zealand’s batting lineup with his deceptive variations. His performance has now given the Indian team management a welcome dilemma ahead of the crucial semifinal against Australia. Skipper Rohit Sharma admitted, “He brings something different, and we wanted to test him. We haven’t thought about the next game yet, but it’s a good headache to have.”

Matt Henry, who also claimed a five-wicket haul in the match, lauded Chakravarthy’s skill. “Oh, he bowled beautifully, didn’t he? The way he turned the ball both ways and even mixed up his pace was brilliant,” the Kiwi pacer remarked. Interestingly, Henry’s figures mirrored Chakravarthy’s—5 for 42.

New Zealand seemed comfortable at 93/2 while chasing a modest 250, but as their captain Mitchell Santner admitted, India’s four quality spinners squeezed them out of the game. Among them, Chakravarthy stood out, despite it being only his second ODI appearance.

The Enigma of Chakravarthy’s Bowling

Even Rohit Sharma acknowledges that Chakravarthy doesn’t reveal all his variations, even in the nets, preserving his element of surprise. However, on Sunday, the spinner shed some light on his art. “Basically, I have deliveries that go in, go out, and stay straight. But there are subtle variations within those as well,” he explained. His deception is not just about different deliveries but also includes minor details like release point, drift, speed variations, and accuracy.

Chakravarthy’s five wickets were more about execution than sheer brilliance. Will Young played onto his stumps, Glenn Phillips fell trying to be aggressive, Michael Bracewell was given out LBW in a questionable decision, Mitchell Santner was undone by a seam-up delivery, and Matt Henry perished attempting to accelerate. Yet, the real impact lay in the remaining 55 balls he bowled, which created relentless pressure on the opposition.

“I think I can do better,” Chakravarthy admitted post-match. “But it wasn’t luck. Every ball was planned. Cricket is unpredictable, but I wouldn’t call it luck.”

Chakravarthy’s ODI Evolution

A specialist in T20 cricket, Chakravarthy has worked hard to adapt to the 50-over format, refining his craft in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. “It helped me understand when to use my different deliveries. ODIs require a completely different approach compared to T20s, and it took me time to adjust,” he explained.

With his confidence soaring, Chakravarthy faces his biggest test yet when India meets Australia in the semifinal. If Sunday’s performance was anything to go by, his mystery spin could be India’s X-factor on the grand stage.