On March 9, 2025, at the ICC Champions Trophy final held at the Dubai International Stadium, India’s Kuldeep Yadav turned the tide of the match against New Zealand with his extraordinary bowling performance, leading his team to victory. New Zealand, having chosen to bat first, set a target of 252 runs. They started strong with openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young putting up 57 runs for the first wicket. Ravindra was particularly aggressive, scoring 37 runs off just 29 deliveries before falling to Yadav’s brilliant googly. This dismissal marked the beginning of India’s comeback.
Initially, New Zealand looked commanding as they reached 69 for 1 after just 10 overs. Varun Chakravarthy got the first breakthrough, dismissing Will Young for 15 runs with an LBW decision. But the momentum shifted when Kuldeep Yadav was introduced to the attack. His first ball deceived Ravindra, hitting him on the pad and crashing onto the stumps. Kuldeep's impact did not end there; he quickly followed up by dismissing New Zealand captain Kane Williamson for just 11 runs with another excellent delivery, reducing the Kiwis to 75 for 3. This remarkable turn of events anchored India’s position and restored their confidence after troubling moments earlier in the match.
The Indian spinners—including Yadav—displayed skillful control and impressive pace throughout the innings, making it difficult for New Zealand's batsmen to settle down. Kuldeep finished with figures of 2 wickets for 40 runs across 10 overs, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s most impactful bowlers. Alongside him, Varun Chakravarthy also shone, taking 2 wickets for 45 runs, and Ravindra Jadeja contributed with the wicket of Tom Latham.
Despite New Zealand’s strong start, their middle and lower order crumbled under the pressure applied by the Indian spin duo, especially following the quick dismissals of Ravindra and Williamson. Daryl Mitchell, who played remarkably well with resilience at the crease, managed to score 63 runs off 101 balls, but even his efforts could not save New Zealand from falling short of posting a par score. New Zealand’s innings wrapped up at 251 for 7, thanks to Michael Bracewell’s brisk knock of 53 runs from 40 balls, but the foundation was shaky as wickets fell rapidly.
The match was fraught with tension, particularly as India’s fielding early on presented several opportunities for New Zealand. The Indian team dropped five catches, including two lifelines offered to Ravindra when he was dropped by Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer, both of which could have changed the outcome of the game had Ravindra capitalized on them. Kuldeep and the Indian squad were visibly on edge until those key breakthroughs arrived.
Captain Rohit Sharma expressed his expectations from Kuldeep both on and off the field, emphasizing the importance of not only taking wickets but also maintaining awareness and focus throughout the game. “Rohit bhai has always supported me. When I was injured, he was continuously in touch with me, and what he wanted from me kept me motivated,” Kuldeep recalled reflecting on their relationship. While Kuldeep faced criticism earlier during the semi-finals against Australia, where he failed to make any significant contributions, he redeemed himself during this final match, turning moments of self-doubt to confidence.
Yadav's methodical approach and exit off the bowling crease improved his game awareness—a lesson learned after his knee injury—that propelled him back to form. It was this determination and learning process, guided by his childhood coach, Kapil Pandey, which proved instrumental during the tournament. “I made him bowl three hours every morning and then work with me for another couple of hours at the nets,” Pandey stated about Yadav’s rigorous training methods post-injury.
India's bowling was complemented by their batting performance as well. After chasing New Zealand’s total, openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set out to lay the groundwork for victory, showcasing calculated aggression. With the scoreboard ticking steadily and the pressure on the accompanying batsmen, India set out to chase the target of 252 with their heads held high, bolstered by their bowlers’ impact earlier.
The conclusion of the match solidified Yadav's integral role within the team's dynamics; his ability to pick up key wickets situated him well as one of the pivotal players during this Champions Trophy campaign. With the final marked by ups and downs, the spirits of both teams remained high, showcasing competitive cricket acknowledgeable across players and management alike.
Yadav's triumph and the Indian team's victory stand as reminders of the importance of persistence and teamwork, even when each play can be filled with uncertainty and intense pressure. The discourse of the match will remain not only for Yadav’s comeback but also for their resoluteness as they aim to build upon this successful partnership moving forward.