India’s defining moments in the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand featured Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy’s game-changing spin, Rohit Sharma’s explosive start with the bat, and Shreyas Iyer’s steady control during the middle overs. KL Rahul’s composed finishing sealed India’s victory, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure.
The ICC Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand underscored the importance of capitalizing on crucial moments in high-stakes matches. TOI analyzes the key turning points of the game…
Kuldeep’s Twin Strikes
New Zealand openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young made an aggressive start, racing to 57 runs within the first eight overs. However, the momentum shifted as soon as Rohit Sharma introduced Kuldeep Yadav immediately after the first Powerplay. Kuldeep made an instant impact.
His very first delivery, a well-disguised googly, deceived the in-form Ravindra. Expecting a conventional turn, Ravindra misjudged the ball’s trajectory, allowing it to sneak through the bat-pad gap and crash into the stumps. This breakthrough disrupted New Zealand’s momentum. Riding on his success, Kuldeep then dismissed Kane Williamson in his next over. A flighted delivery held up slightly, tempting Williamson into a forward push. The mistimed shot resulted in a simple return catch to the bowler, further tilting the game in India’s favor.
