‘We’ll be putting our thinking caps on’ – Stead on dealing with Varun CV

Varun Chakaravarthy's Mystery Deliveries Leave New Zealand Coach Gary Stead Pondering

Gary Stead, the New Zealand coach, has acknowledged the threat posed by India's mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy ahead of the Champions Trophy final. Chakaravarthy's impressive performance in the last game, where he took 5 for 42, has left Stead planning his team's strategy to counter the Indian bowler.

"We'll be putting our thinking caps on how we nullify that and how we can still score runs against him," Stead said. He hinted that New Zealand might consider batting first if possible, citing the difficulty of reading Chakaravarthy's deliveries in the daylight.

Stead praised Chakaravarthy's skills, saying, "He's a class bowler. He obviously showed his skills against us last time and he's a big, big threat in the game." He also emphasized the importance of good communication and bravery among his batsmen to combat Chakaravarthy's mystery deliveries.

Chakaravarthy's impressive figures in the semifinal against Australia, where he took 2 for 49, have given the New Zealanders plenty to ponder. His ability to remove dangerous batters like Travis Head has made him a formidable opponent.

The Indian selectors' confidence in Chakaravarthy is justified, as he has been justifying his selection with his performances. His inclusion in the team has added an extra dimension to India's bowling attack, making him a key player in the Champions Trophy final.