Following India‘s triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marketing campaign, discussions have intensified over the match’s standout performers. Whereas New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was formally named Participant of the Event, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has put ahead a powerful argument for a distinct contender. Regardless of a number of match-winning performances, some key names had been neglected for the highest honour, sparking debate amongst cricket consultants and followers. Ashwin, who carefully adopted India’s marketing campaign, believes that one participant made an distinctive impression, turning matches in India’s favor at essential moments.
Ravichandran Ashwin reveals his selection for Participant of the Event
Ashwin strongly believed that Varun Chakaravarthy performed a defining function in India’s title-winning marketing campaign. Coming in as a substitute for Harshit Rana in India’s group-stage match in opposition to New Zealand, the thriller spinner made a right away impression, saying himself with a five-wicket haul.
Regardless of taking part in solely 4 matches, Chakaravarthy completed because the joint second-highest wicket-taker within the match with 9 scalps. His skill to hassle batters with misleading variations made him India’s go-to bowler within the knockout levels.
“No matter stated and accomplished, the Participant of the Event, for my part, was Varun Chakaravarthy. He didn’t play the entire match, however he made an enormous distinction. If he wasn’t there within the remaining, I believe this sport would have been very, very totally different,” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel.
One of many standout moments of the ultimate was Chakaravarthy’s dismissal of Glenn Phillips, a supply that showcased his intelligence and talent. The thriller spinner went extensive of the crease, bowled a pointy googly, and deceived Phillips, who had no thought what hit him.
“Simply take a look at how he dismissed Glenn Phillips. He wasn’t overlaying the stumps, so Varun went extensive of the crease and bowled that googly. That was a game-changing second. If I had been the choose, I’d have given him the Participant of the Event award,” the previous cricketer emphasised.
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A key contender for the T20 World Cup 2026
Ashwin additional argued that Chakaravarthy’s performances make him a certainty for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. He believed India’s greatest bowling assault for the match would come with Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, as their mixed talent set can dismantle any batting lineup.
“Chakaravarthy, Bumrah, and Kuldeep needs to be automated choices for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Write it down now. That is one hell of a bowling assault, and we should keep it up to defend our T20 World Cup title,” Ashwin concluded.
Chakaravarthy’s current performances in T20 cricket have additionally bolstered his case. Earlier this yr, he turned the No. 2 ranked T20I bowler on the planet, following a formidable collection in opposition to England. His skill to manage run circulation whereas being a wicket-taker makes him a deadly weapon in white-ball cricket.