India’s star spinner Kuldeep Yadav has revealed that the team preferred facing Australia in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy rather than risking another ICC final heartbreak against them. His statement brings back memories of India’s struggles against the Aussies in major tournament finals, including the 2023 ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship.
India’s clash with Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal was a high-stakes encounter, with the Men in Blue emerging victorious by four wickets to secure their place in the final. Reflecting on that moment, Kuldeep admitted that India was relieved to meet Australia earlier in the knockout stage rather than in the final, where the pressure would have been immense.
“I had hernia surgery in November, so it was difficult to regain my rhythm. But this was a good tournament for us. We wanted to play Australia in the semifinal, not the final,” Kuldeep Yadav told Michael Clarke on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast. “It’s a different kind of pressure. It’s much better to take them on in the semifinal rather than in the final,” he added.
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India capitalized on that victory, defeating New Zealand in the final in Dubai to claim their third Champions Trophy title. The win came after a challenging five-month stretch for the Indian team, which had included a disappointing Test series in Australia that cost them a spot in the WTC final.
“We lost the series against Australia, and there was a lot of media scrutiny. The BCCI also became stricter with policies. In India, you have to be on your toes every series,” Kuldeep Yadav explained. “You can’t take your place for granted because so many players are waiting for an opportunity.”
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Following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, concerns arose about players not adhering to team protocols, affecting the dressing room environment. In response, the BCCI has now mandated that any player wishing to travel separately for matches or training must get prior approval from the head coach or chief selector, reinforcing discipline within the squad.
