Watch: Kuldeep Yadav starts Champions Trophy 2025 Final with wicket of dangerous Rachin Ravindra

The India vs New Zealand match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final started in a dramatic way. After the Blackcaps openers provided a strong start, especially in-form Rachin Ravindra, Indian spinners strongly made a comeback, while Kuldeep Yadav started the Final with a wicket of dangerous Rachin.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates is hosting the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to bat first on the tricky surface. 

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Will Young and Rachin Ravindra had 57-run opening partnership

New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra provided a flying start. Blackcaps openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra had a 57-run partnership for the first wicket, which they accumulated in eight overs. Since the Indian spinners started to bowl in the match, Kiwi batters have struggled to continue their strong batting performance. 

During the 57-run opening partnership, Rachin was dropped twice. The pacer Mohammed Shami dropped him for 28 runs on his delivery as he missed the caught and bowled opportunity. In the next over, Varun Chakravarthy created a chance as Rachin was on 29 runs when Shreyas Iyer just failed to grab a catch at deep. India were frustrated with those missed chances, while Rachin was scoring quickly.

Ultimately, Chakravarthy produced the first wicket for India as Will Young was lbw in the eighth over after scoring 15 off 23 balls with two fours.

Kuldeep Yadav started second powerplay by dismissing Rachin Ravindra

After New Zealand completed the first powerplay at 69/1, and they lost dangerous Rachin on the first ball of the second powerplay. It was the first ball for Kuldeep Yadav in the Final and he started with a great wicket as he bowled Rachin. It was a slow googly, and Rachin failed to read that delivery which cost him the wicket as the ball destroyed the stumps. Without a doubt, it was a very important wicket for India.