During the second T20I between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025, India spinner Varun Chakravarthy orchestrated one of the match's most memorable moments, engaging in an entertaining battle of wits with Australian batter Tim David that ultimately resulted in the latter's dismissal for just one run.
The Mind Games Unfold
The psychological warfare began in the ninth over of Australia's chase when David came to the crease. Anticipating a threat from the hard-hitting middle-order batter, India captain Suryakumar Yadav employed a defensive field setup, stationing Tilak Varma at short leg with a helmet on to intimidate the visitor. As Chakravarthy prepared to bowl the second delivery of the over, David backed away from his stance, forcing the bowler to halt his run-up. Chakravarthy, undeterred by the tactic, retreated to his mark and refrained from delivering the ball despite completing his approach once more. The moment drew smiles across the Indian camp, with captain Suryakumar Yadav visibly struggling to contain his amusement.
Varun Chakaravarthy v Tim David were playing some serious mind games 🧠 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/uuUPTSqwDD
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 31, 2025
The playful exchange highlighted the lighter side of international T20 cricket, yet it carried serious intent. Varma and Chakravarthy engaged in subtle chatter with David, exchanging knowing smiles as the pressure mounted. David initially seemed unmoved by the psychological tactics, stroking a back-foot punch to long-on for an easy single off the first ball he received.
However, Chakravarthy had the final say. Two deliveries later, David attempted a cautious defensive stroke to what appeared to be a straightforward delivery. The bowler, however, had other plans—he unleashed a googly that drifted in slightly and caught enough of the bat to send a simple return catch back to Chakravarthy, who gleefully accepted the prize. David's stay at the crease lasted just two balls, a stark contrast to the confidence he had displayed moments earlier.
Match Context and Impact
The incident occurred when Australia was well-positioned in their chase of 126 runs, having established a commanding partnership between opening batters Travis Head (28 off 15) and Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26). Their 51-run stand in just 27 balls had effectively taken the game away from India. Yet Chakravarthy's double strike—first dismissing Head before targeting David—provided India with brief moments of resistance.
Abhishek Sharma had been the lone warrior for India with the bat earlier, smashing a brilliant 68 off 37 deliveries that included eight boundaries and two sixes. His aggressive approach gave India respectability on a pitch that strongly favored pace bowlers. Josh Hazlewood had set the tone for Australia with devastating figures of 3 for 13, exploiting the Melbourne surface's pace and bounce to dismantle India's top order. India scraped to 125 all out in 18.4 overs, with Harshit Rana contributing a valuable 35 from 33 balls.espn+2
Australia completed the chase in just 13.2 overs with six wickets remaining, reaching 126 for 6 and securing a four-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Despite the dominant scoreline, Chakravarthy's intelligent bowling—finishing with figures of 2 for 23 from four overs—demonstrated India's quality in spin bowling and the power of psychological tactics in the shortest format.
The Lasting Impression
Chakravarthy's spell of controlled aggression was complemented by Jasprit Bumrah's two-wicket burst with consecutive deliveries in the penultimate over when Australia were just two runs from victory. Yet it was the mind games between Chakravarthy and David that captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing how international cricket continues to blend intense competition with moments of levity.
The encounter proved that even in high-pressure T20 internationals, there remains room for psychological maneuvering and on-field banter. While Australia's convincing win shifted the series narrative in their favor, it was Varun Chakravarthy's masterclass in spin bowling paired with strategic captaincy that provided India with moments to cherish.
