While the fifth and final game of the India vs South Africa T20I series at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was running on the wire in the high-scoring encounter, Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah strongly put the hosts in control. After Bumrah and Hardik Pandya dismissed two set Proteas batters Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis, Varun then took charge of the game by taking two back-to-back wickets, as the hosts then controlled the game completely. 

It was the 13th over when Varun Chakravarthy brought his magic with two wickets in consecutive deliveries. While Varun delivered his first over in the seventh over of the innings, he provided India's first breakthrough by dismissing opener Reeza Hendricks (13) and conceded only three runs. However, in his next over, the leggie conceded 23 runs, including two sixes and two fours. 

Watch: Tilak-Hardik smash 27 runs in George Linde's final over in IND vs SA 5th T20I

Varun Chakravarthy took two back-to-back wickets

Varun returned in the 13th over, where he conceded a four to Aiden Markram on the second delivery. However, on the next delivery, he dismissed Markram (6) through an lbw, as he had an unsuccessful paddle attempt. While Markram went for a review to challenge the on-field umpire's decision, he had no luck as the impact was umpire's call, and the out decision stayed.  

On the next ball, Varun bowled Donovan Ferreira with a beautiful delivery. That put India under control, as South Africa were struggling at 135/5 in the chase of 232 runs. 

THE X FACTOR INDIA - VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY...!!! 😍💪 pic.twitter.com/OQqYwMmgu1

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 19, 2025

Varun Chakravarthy took four wickets

George Linde defended the hat-trick ball, and Varun dismissed him in his next over, as the Indian leg-spinner had the bowling figures of 4-0-53-4.