Spin it to win it: Slow & steady makes never-seen-before global impact

AT one point during the New Zealand innings—after 37 overs—in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, the scorecard at the Dubai International Stadium read 161/4. It might seem below par, but this is the slow Dubai surface and Glenn Phillips had started counter-attacking, getting the Black Caps' innings back on track with Daryl Mitchell at the other end.

- GOMESH S

India needed a wicket, and they needed it sooner than later. That is when captain Rohit Sharma turned to Varun Chakravarthy for his third spell. To an extent, it was a move made out of necessity rather than just a tactic. The mystery spinner, despite giving the early breakthrough in the powerplay, hadn't been able to make further inroads. He had bowled seven overs, giving away 1/33, and had made Mitchell look clueless.