In Wednesday’s semi-final match against South Africa, he got rid of in-form batsmen Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, who had both made hundreds.
On Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India defeated New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, and Kuldeep Yadav delivered them two vital wickets.
On Sunday, Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bat first, which gave the Kiwis a great start. Will Young had a scorching 57-run opening partnership off 47 balls before Varun Chakaravarthy removed him. But Ravindra, who was thrice dismissed, kept the scoreboard moving with a barrage of boundaries.
Kuldeep was added to the assault in the eleventh over by India captain Rohit Sharma. With a googly on the middle stump, the left-arm spinner bowled Ravindra and hit off his first delivery. The Kiwi batsman was on the back foot and didn’t read the googly. Before disturbing the stumps, the ball slipped past the inside edge and planted a kiss on the pad. Knowing the significance of the wicket, Kuldeep and his teammates were ecstatic. Ravindra, however, appeared to be really disappointed because he believed he could have scored a lot more than his 37 off 29 balls.
Watch the video below:
CASTLED! | \ | #KuldeepYadav makes the impact straightaway, as #RachinRavindra is cleaned up courtesy a sharp googly! 💪🏻#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar FINAL 👉 #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports18-1!
📺📱 Start Watching FREE on… pic.twitter.com/VEl1RJOxfE
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 9, 2025
Kane Williamson’s soft dismissal
In the following over, Kuldeep sent Williamson packing with a full delivery on the middle stump. The right-handed batter tried to push it for a single off the front foot but failed to keep it down. Kuldeep took the simplest of return catches as New Zealand went from 57/0 to 75/3.
Watch Kane Williamson’s dismissal below:
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
Only five wickets had been taken by Kuldeep in four games, hence he hadn’t been among the tournament’s wickets. But he looked really rhythmic throughout the summit clash, and he would like to keep that up during his tenure.