Dubai: An early advantage for India was established by the unexpected performance of India's lesser-known wrist spinner, following New Zealand's decision to bat first in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday. Rohit Sharma's unfortunate streak with the toss continued.

With considerable attention on the enigmatic spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who had previously troubled New Zealand, Rohit Sharma opted to introduce Kuldeep Yadav into the attack after the Powerplay.

Before Kuldeep's introduction, the New Zealand batsmen had gained the upper hand, scoring briskly to reach 69/1 during the Powerplay overs. Chakravarthy had provided a few early warnings, managing to grip the ball and challenge the batsmen. He also dismissed opener Will Young, trapping him in front to conclude a 57-run opening partnership.

However, Ravindra, New Zealand's leading run-scorer in the tournament, appeared to be in formidable form. The left-handed batsman executed pulls, cuts, and drives against India's pace attack with remarkable precision. In the high-pressure environment of the final, when runs begin to accumulate, it can lead to mental strain for the opposing team.

As the middle overs commenced, Kuldeep made an immediate impact with his very first delivery. He bowled a ball that landed on a challenging length, deviating both in the air and off the pitch, and sharply spinning back in. The well-set Ravindra, who had scored 37 runs off 29 balls, was left defenceless as the googly outsmarted his inside edge, struck his pad, and subsequently hit the stumps.

Kuldeep Yadav's initial wicket provided India with the momentum they sought, delivering a significant setback to New Zealand that they had hoped to avoid. Just seven balls later, in his subsequent over, Kuldeep bowled a delivery that looped and arrived slower than Kane Williamson had anticipated. The renowned Kiwi batsman misjudged the flight, allowing the wrist-spinner to gleefully take a return catch. New Zealand was left reeling after losing two of their key players, with Williamson departing for just 11 runs. In a short span, India had seized control of the match.

At 75/3, New Zealand was not in a critical position; however, the loss of two of their premier spin players, who were expected to navigate the middle overs effectively, represented a significant blow.

Before the final, most of Kuldeep's wickets in the tournament had been taken during the death overs. It was unusual that India's most proficient middle-overs spinner had not been as impactful in the Champions Trophy, where the pitches favoured spin and made scoring challenging. The master of deception, one of the few practitioners of left-arm wrist spin in contemporary cricket, rectified this trend in the tournament's most crucial match.

The broadcast highlighted how Kuldeep was achieving a higher jump in his delivery stride compared to the last ODI World Cup. Such subtle adjustments in technique are among the most challenging to execute. Only the bowler is aware of the extensive effort that goes into these changes during practice sessions, often unseen before they manifest in competitive matches.

Reflecting on a previous modification to his action, Kuldeep began running to the crease in a straighter line than he had before, following the advice of physiotherapist Ashish Kaushik. This adjustment was intended to reduce the strain on his right leg while simultaneously increasing the pace of his deliveries. This change was implemented after he returned to play following a knee injury.

Currently, Kuldeep has made his comeback after undergoing a hernia operation. Each time bowlers have surgery, the mechanics of their bowling action necessitate both strengthening and rehabilitation.

"Sometimes it takes six months to get it right," Kuldeep remarked a week ago. His exuberant leap of joy, accompanied by a punch in the air, illustrated his triumph.

Read Also: Shoaib Akhtar Expresses Disappointment Over PCB's Absence at Champions Trophy Final Presentation: 'It Was a Global Event...'

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!