Player of the series should have gone to Varun Chakravarthy: Ashwin Ravichandran

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin is adamant that Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand was not a fair winner of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Player of the Series title. Ashwin believes that Varun Chakravarthy, India’s mystery spinner, was the tournament’s most poignant player, even though Ravindra was recognised for his all-around performances.

With a thrilling and decisive victory over New Zealand in the final match on Sunday in Dubai, India won their third Champions Trophy title and went undefeated throughout the competition. Ashwin thinks that Chakravarthy is a more deserving contender for Player of the Series since his contributions were crucial to India’s triumph.

Regardless, Varun Chakravarthy was, in my opinion, the Player of the Tournament. Despite not participating in the full competition, he had a significant impact. I believe that this game would have been quite different if Varun Chakravarthy hadn’t been present. He contributed both the novelty factor and the X-factor. Varun would have received it if I had been the judge. According to NDTV, Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, “He was the biggest difference.”

Chakravarthy’s game-winning spell in the final, when he outwitted Glenn Phillips with a cleverly disguised googly, was especially appreciated by Ashwin. “Observe his dismissal of Glenn Phillips. Varun moved wide of the crease and bowled that googly because he wasn’t covering the stumps. Varun must be the Player of the Series, in my opinion.

“The person who made the biggest impact should receive the award,” Ashwin reaffirmed.

Chakravarthy showed his effect in the tournament by finishing his campaign with nine wickets in just three games, despite missing the first two. He will now return to the Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 Indian Premier League. Rachin Ravindra will play for the Chennai Super Kings in the interim, teaming up with Ashwin.