Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the Player of the Tournament award at the ICC Champions Trophy should have gone to Varun Chakravarthy, calling him the "X-factor" in India’s unbeaten run. The Indian spinner, who was not initially part of India's squad, was a last-minute addition just days before the tournament. Though he didn’t feature in every match, he played a crucial role in India's triumph. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin stated that if he had been the judge, he would have awarded the Player of the Tournament to the Indian spinner. "Whatever is said and done, the Player of the Tournament, in my view, was Varun Chakravarthy. He didn’t play the entire tournament, but he made a huge difference. If Varun 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-maker," Ashwin said. Also Read: No Felicitations for Champions! Team India Exits Dubai Silently 'Varun Chakravarthy deserved the Award' Ashwin further analyzed Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling and highlighted how he outsmarted Glenn Phillips. "Just look at how he dismissed Glenn Phillips. Phillips wasn’t covering the stumps, so Varun went wide of the crease and bowled a googly. In my view, Varun should have been the Player of the Series. The award should go to someone who made the biggest difference. Varun Chakravarthy truly deserved it," he added. Despite playing only three matches, Varun Chakravarthy finished as India's highest wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming nine wickets. He was one of only four bowlers to secure a five-wicket haul and ended the campaign with the best bowling average of 15.11. Ashwin also pointed out how remarkable it was that India lifted the trophy without star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. "Remarkably, this Indian team won the Champions Trophy without Bumrah. What does that 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. Ashwin also expressed his happiness for Indian captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, pointing out how India came into the tournament after suffering losses in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. "I am so happy for Rohit and Gautam Gambhir. Just spare a thought for GG. What must he be going through? Losing the Test series against New Zealand and facing setbacks in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy—there were tough times. But he made a remarkable decision," Ashwin concluded.