Last Sunday was an exciting match between Varun Chakravarthy and New Zealand, where the Kiwi batsmen struggled to figure out the Indian spinner’s tricky deliveries. The upcoming match this Sunday has higher stakes, with New Zealand needing to adjust their strategy.
Chakravarthy took 5 wickets for 42 runs, which might make it seem like an easy win, but it was a tough game. New Zealand has some skilled batters who can hit big shots, but facing mystery spin can be confusing. When England played Chakravarthy before the Champions Trophy, many of their batters didn’t know how to tackle him. They often swept, but it didn’t go well for them.
New Zealand tried to play safe, but the pitch was slow, and they couldn’t keep up with the scoring rate. When their star batter, Kane Williamson, had to take risks, he was out, which hurt their chances. “The pitch wasn’t as bad as people thought; it did spin a bit, which made it harder for batsmen. I owe my five wickets to my teammates too,” Chakravarthy said.
If New Zealand thinks the pitch will grip less this time, they might attack more. But if it’s similar to last week, it could be tricky again. “It’s easier to read a wrist spinner in daylight. He’s a great bowler, and we need a plan to score against him,” said New Zealand coach Gary Stead.
Rachin Ravindra could really help if he stays longer at the crease. With experience playing at Chepauk, he has the shots to handle spin. Daryl Mitchell is also good at dealing with spinners. The team may consider moving Michael Bracewell up the order because he can hit long.
All batters will have their own game plans, and good communication during the match is vital. “We’re ready to take on this challenge; India has good spinners,” Stead added.
On the other hand, Chakravarthy knows the Kiwis will be better prepared this time. As a mystery spinner, he needs to keep changing and being patient. “On slow pitches, the ball turns slowly, so you have to be patient and wait for opportunities,” he explained.
Matt Henry’s Injury Concern: New Zealand bowler Matt Henry landed awkwardly on his shoulder during the semi-final against South Africa and is uncertain for the final. “We’ve done some scans, and we’ll do our best to get him ready. He’s sore, but hopefully, he’ll be fine,” said Stead. Henry has taken ten wickets in the tournament, including five against India. If he can’t play, Jacob Duffy might take his place.
