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Star Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who remained wicketless in the semi-final clash against Australia, turned into Rohit Sharma-led side's saviour in the Final of the ongoing edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on March 9 (Sunday). NZ batters were cruising their way into a dominant position before the Indian spinners turned the tables on them with wickets in quick intervals.
Kuldeep removes dangerous Rachin and Williamson
New Zealand were off to a stunning start with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra joining a 57-run opening stand by the 8th over itself. However, it was once again Varun Chakravarthy that rose to the occasion and provided the Men in Blue the breakthrough by sending Young back to the pavilion for 15 off 23.
However, now Ravindra was joined by Kane Williamson on the pitch. Both of them smashed centuries against South Africa in the semi-final and took the game away from the Proteas. They were looking to do the same here again, but Kuldeep Yadav had a different plan.
He first clean bowled Rachin Ravindra in the 11th over and then struck again in his very next over to dismiss Williamson. This filled the Indian team with energy and brought them back into the game. Virat Kohli broke into a wild celebration with Kuldeep Yadav. Everyone knew that India had sent their dangerous top order back into the pavilion before they could do a lot of damage.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Their star pacer, Matt Henry, missed the summit clash, so Nathan Smith replaced him in the line-up. India is playing with the same team.
IND vs NZ Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke
