Champions Trophy 2025: Ravi Ashwin names an Indian player who should’ve won player of the tournament award

Former Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin disagreed with Rachin Ravidra winning the ICC Player of the Tournament award. He is of the opinion that India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who turned as an X factor, should’ve won the prestigious award instead.

Despite not being part of the entire campaign, Varun Chakravarhty caught the limelight, emerging as the second-leading wicket-taker with nine wickets from only three innings. He made the most of the backing he received from Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma.

"Whatever said and done, the Player of the Tournament, in my view, was Varun Chakaravarthy. He didn't play the entire tournament. He was such a big difference. If Varun Chakaravarthy wasn't there, I think this game would have been very different. He brought that X-factor and the novelty factor. If I were the judge, I would have given it to Varun. He was the biggest difference," Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat'.

It’s important to know that Chakravarthy wasn’t initially part of the squad for the showpiece event. After he had impressed everyone in the five-match T20I series against England, scalping 13 wickets as the leading wicket-taker, he was included in the final squad.

Furthermore, Ashwin also hailed the mystery spinner for his delivery to dismiss Glenn Phillips in the grand finale. Interestingly, Phillips was in good touch who had looked to take the game away from India. 

"Just look at how he dismissed Glenn Phillips. He wasn't covering the stumps, so Varun went wide of the crease and bowled that googly. In my view, Varun has to be the Player of the Series. The award should be given to someone who made the biggest difference. Varun Chakaravarthy deserves the Player of the Series award," he added.

"I am so happy for Rohit and Gautam Gambhir. Just spare a thought for GG. What must he be going through? Losing Test series against New Zealand, you have been losing a few. But you made a remarkable decision. There was no Jasprit Bumrah. Remarkably, this Indian team won the Champions Trophy without Bumrah. What does it tell you? Where does it leave Indian cricket? I am so happy. I think the world will take some time to catch up with Indian cricket," he said.

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