ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final: New Zealand’s in-form batter, Rachin Ravindra, was outsmarted by Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the final match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Ravindra, who scored a quick 37 runs off 29 balls, was bowled out by Kuldeep on his very first ball of the match.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to bat first after winning the toss in Dubai on Sunday, March 9. Rachin Ravindra gave the team a strong start, hitting boundaries off Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. However, Varun Chakravarthy ended the partnership by dismissing Will Young, who made 15 runs off 23 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Impact: Two Wickets in Quick Succession for India
Kuldeep Yadav made an impact right away after being brought on in the 11th over. He got Rachin Ravindra out with his very first ball. Ravindra misjudged the delivery, and the ball turned sharply, hitting his pad before smashing into the stumps.
The left-hander departed after a quickfire 37 off 29 balls, which included four fours and a six. Kuldeep Yadav celebrated the key wicket as India regained control after New Zealand’s aggressive powerplay. Ravindra’s dismissal left the Black Caps at 69/2 in 10.1 overs.
Official broadcaster Star took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the clip of the dismissal with the caption, “CASTLED! | \ | #KuldeepYadav makes the impact straightaway, as #RachinRavindra is cleaned up courtesy a sharp googly! 💪🏻”
Watch the video:
WHAT A BALL BY KULDEEP. 🤯pic.twitter.com/zFgXsZPGab
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 9, 2025
India captain Rohit Sharma brought Kuldeep Yadav into the attack right after the first powerplay, and the spinner made an immediate impact. On his very first delivery, Kuldeep clean-bowled the in-form Ravindra with a brilliant googly.
The ball landed in the middle, and Ravindra, unable to pick the variation, went on the back foot to play a shot but missed completely. The ball slipped through the bat-pad gap, crashing into the stumps and providing India with the crucial breakthrough they needed.
Kuldeep struck again in his next over, this time removing New Zealand’s batting star, Kane Williamson. Williamson got forward to play a shot but couldn’t keep it down, sending a simple return catch to the bowler.
Watch the video:
SOFT DISMISSAL! 🎯#KuldeepYadav gets the big wicket of #KaneWilliamson, who spoons it back for an easy grab! 💥 Loud cheers, big celebrations—India on top! 🇮🇳🔥#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar FINAL 👉 #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 &… pic.twitter.com/U8zqp7Qu22
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 9, 2025
With three quick wickets, including two by Kuldeep, India made a strong comeback after New Zealand’s solid start. From 69/1 after 10 overs, New Zealand suddenly found themselves struggling at 75/3 in 12.2 overs, shifting the momentum firmly in India’s favour.
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