On paper, Varun Chakaravarthy and Mitchell Santner are both spinners. In reality, their approaches to spin bowling couldn’t be more different — one thrives on deception, the other on control. And yet, as India and New Zealand face off in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai, both hold the key to their team’s fate.
The two have taken seven wickets each in the tournament — more than any other spinner. Varun’s haul, however, has come in just two games, while Santner has shouldered the additional burden of captaincy. Their impact has been undeniable, but their methods are as contrasting as it gets.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Santner is the quintessential left-arm spinner, relying on flight, drift, and precision. His ability to change pace and control length makes him a bowler who can both attack and defend, often tying down batters with his subtle variations.
Varun, on the other hand, operates with a very different blueprint. He fires the ball in quickly, relying more on deception than on turn. His unorthodox, side-on grip and straighter trajectory leave little margin for error for batters.
The numbers further illustrate this contrast. In the ongoing Champions Trophy:
– 38.6% of Santner’s deliveries have deviated more than 4.5 degrees — the second-most for any spinner in the tournament.
– Only 0.8% of Varun’s deliveries have turned that much, with 88.5% spinning less than 2.5 degrees.
– When it comes to pace, Varun’s average speed (93.74 km/h) ranks among the fastest spinners in the tournament, whereas Santner bowls at 82.90 km/h, only quicker than three others.
– Santner has landed 81.7% of his deliveries in the good length/back-of-a-length areas, showcasing his consistency.
– Varun has hit that length only 63% of the time. In fact, he has bowled short over 30% of the time, reflecting his medium-pacer-like approach.
Head-to-Head: Santner’s Familiarity vs Varun’s Mystery
Santner has played against India 23 times in ODIs — more than against any other team — but his record against them is mixed. He has only 15 wickets at an average of 61.20 but has been economical, conceding just 4.75 runs per over. His role has often been to apply pressure rather than break through batting lineups.
For New Zealand, Varun remains an unknown commodity. The Indian spinner made his ODI debut less than a month ago and has played just one 50-over match against the Kiwis — when he claimed a match-winning five-wicket haul in the Champions Trophy group stage.
One of those five wickets? Mitchell Santner himself. Beaten not by spin, but by pace off the length.
A Duel That Could Decide the Trophy
With the cards now on the table, New Zealand will have a better idea of how to approach Varun. India, meanwhile, must be wary of Santner’s ability to build dot-ball pressure and choke run flow.
Ultimately, the final in Dubai isn’t just a battle between India and New Zealand — it’s a showdown of contrasting spin philosophies. Will Santner’s precision stifle India’s batters, or will Varun’s mystery baffle the Black Caps once more?
