'Wanted To Face Australia In The Final': Kuldeep Yadav Opens Up On India's Champions Trophy 2025 Journey

Rohit Sharma lifted his second ICC Trophy in a span of nine months as India defeated New Zealand to lay their hand on the Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier, Rohit guided India to the ICC T20 World Cup title last year.

India Showed Their Dominance In Champions Trophy 2025

India romped their way to the final with a dominating performance in the group stage. They thrashed Bangladesh in the opening game, followed by a six-wicket win over arch-rival Pakistan . They got the better of  New Zealand in their last group stage game and had set up a semifinal encounter with Australia in Dubai.

Also Read: 'If Ghibli Made Cricket': Social Media Trend Reaches Sachin Tendulkar As Batting Legend Shares Viral Art From Iconic Moment

The Aussies, despite missing a host of their frontline players, gave a very good account of themselves as they managed to amass 264 runs on the board. Riding on another Virat Kohli masterclass, the Men In Blue avenged their 2023 ODI World Cup defeat and set up a summit clash with the Kiwis.

Kuldeep Yadav Opens Up On India's Champions Trophy Journey

Kuldeep Yadav now revealed that India wanted to face Australia in the semifinals rather than the final in the Champions Trophy 2025.

On the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast, he said, "I had Hernia surgery in November, so it was difficult to come back and find the same rhythm. I personally believe that it was a good tournament for us. We wanted to face Australia in the semi-final, we don't want to play them in the final. It's a totally different pressure. Much better to play them in the semifinal rather than in the finals."

Also Read: Latest Report Claims Rohit, Virat Kohli to Not be Demoted From 'A+ Category'; Big Boost For Iyer

Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front, and his brilliant 76 laid the path to another brilliant run chase by the Indian team. They had been under tremendous pressure following the disappointing performance in the Border Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil, and the Champions Trophy title brought some much-needed fresh air ahead of the IPL 2025.