"Difficult To Read His Hand": Axar Patel Hails Varun Chakaravarthy's Mental Skills

Spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel lavished praises on mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs in India's 44-run over New Zealand in the last Champions Trophy Group A game in Dubai, saying it is really difficult to read the spinner's mind, and if a batter misses his googly, there is a high chance of losing a wicket. New Zealand's bowlers did well to restrict India's batting line-up, with Shreyas Iyer (79) and Hardik Pandya (45) leading the way as the Asian side posted a competitive total of 249/9 after they were sent in to bat first.

It was the Chakaravarthy's show in reply, with the spinner claiming the wickets of opener Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry to end up with the figures of 5-42 as India bowled the Black Caps out for 205.

Ahead of the Champions Trophy, Chakaravarthy featured in five T20Is and one ODI against England, where he finished the T20I leg with 14 wickets, including a fifer. He, however, claimed just one dismissal in his debut ODI.

"Credit goes to him. The T20 WC (2021) was not a good experience for him. But after that he has come back and his mental skill shows how ready he is. I think he is carrying forward his performances in T20s to ODIs," Axar told reporters in ICC mixed zone.

"It is very difficult to read from his hand. And the pace with which he bowls is very difficult. So, I think, if a batter misses (the line), there is a higher chance of getting out. He is fast in the air also," he added.

Batting first, India had staged a late resurgence as they reached 249/9 - with a five-wicket haul for Matt Henry. Both openers -- Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma -- were back in the hut in the first six overs and later Virat