'We'll Be Putting Our Thinking Caps': Coach Gary Stead Highlights NZ's Biggest Concern Ahead Of Champions Trophy Final vs IND

Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed that the Blackcaps would face a tremendous challenge while facing mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who has been supremely effective in the ICC Champions Trophy so far. The Kiwi coach explained the team would need to put on their thinking caps to tackle the Indian wrist spinner and score runs against the Rohit Sharma -led Team India in the Champions Trophy summit clash in the UAE.

Head Coach Gary Stead Identifies NZ's Biggest Hurdle

Varun Chakaravarthy made two appearances in the tournament and proved his worth with his magic. The Indian wrist spinner proved his worth in the marquee ICC tournament by delivering a spectacular spell against New Zealand. Moreover, in the CT semifinal against Australia, Varun took the crucial wicket of Travis Head to derail Australia's momentum in the game. NZ coach Gary Stead recognizes the Indian spinner's talent and said that he would be a big threat to the Blackcaps.

“We certainly expect him to play after getting 5/42 against us in the last game. He's a class bowler and showed his skills against us last time, and he's a big threat in the game. So we'll be putting our thinking caps on around how we nullify that and how we can still score runs against him,” New Zealand head coach Stead said while speaking to the reporters on Friday.

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Varun Chakaravarthy Proves His Worth To All The Critics 

Varun Chakaravarthy's dominance has elevated across the white-ball format as he has proved himself as a crucial part of the Indian Cricket Team's T20I and ODI unit. The spinner's mysterious bowling has played a vital role in the Indian bowling attack, and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma recognizes Varun's talent. In the Champions Trophy, Chakaravarthy found a spot over Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj, and he delivered a befitting response to all the critics who doubted his capabilities.

The WTC 2021 Final will be revisited, but it will be in the white ball format as New Zealand has set a date with the Rohit Sharma-led Team India. Both sides will now lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy final, which will take place on March 06, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE.

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