Kuldeep Yadav to be dropped for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final? Check details

The highly anticipated final of the Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner, with India set to face New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This marks the second encounter between the two teams in the tournament, the first having taken place in the group stage. India emerged victorious in that match with relative ease, but the Black Caps are entering the final with impressive momentum after a dominant performance over South Africa in the semi-finals. However, India has a significant concern heading into the final, and that concern is Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner, who has been a key part of India's bowling attack in recent years, has struggled with form throughout the tournament.

Despite his potential, Kuldeep's recent performances have raised questions about his place in the playing XI for the final. There have been concerns over his ability to consistently take wickets and maintain control in pressure situations. With India looking to make the most of their strengths, particularly their strong bowling lineup, it might be time for the team management to consider dropping Kuldeep for the final. The decision could come down to a number of factors, including his form and the need for a more reliable option in the spin department. Here are three reasons why Kuldeep Yadav might not make the cut for Sunday’s crucial match against New Zealand.

Kuldeep Yadav has struggled in the ongoing Champions Trophy, and his stats reflect his lack of impact. In four matches, he has managed only five wickets, failing to make a significant impact even on pitches that are more favorable to spinners. With an average of 36.60 and a strike rate of 43, his performance has been below par, indicating a lack of form.

Moreover, Kuldeep has been overshadowed by the consistent Varun Chakravarthy, who has been more effective in the spin department. While Kuldeep did pick up three wickets against Pakistan, two of them were against tail-enders, highlighting his struggle to break through the top-order batsmen. This inconsistency and inability to pick crucial wickets could be a concern for India in the final, making it a viable option for the team management to reconsider his place in the India playing XI for the crucial clash against New Zealand.

Kuldeep Yadav’s recent performances in knockout matches have been concerning, as he hasn’t taken a single wicket in his last three such encounters. His struggle began in the 2023 World Cup final, where Travis Head dominated him, leading to India's loss to Australia. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Kuldeep’s bowling was expensive, conceding nearly 11 runs per over as South Africa easily took apart his spell. Most recently, in the Champions Trophy semi-final, Australian batters played him without difficulty, further highlighting his struggles in crucial moments. His inability to take wickets in big games is becoming a worrying trend, and this could prove costly for India in the final against New Zealand. Given his recent form, there’s growing concern over whether Kuldeep can rise to the occasion in such an important match.

Predicted India playing XI for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav/Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.