'We Do Not Want To..': Kuldeep Yadav Admits To India's Aussie Scare In Champions Trophy

'We Do Not Want To..': Kuldeep Yadav Admits To India's Aussie Scare In Champions Trophy

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Last Updated: March 28, 2025, 12:38 IST

India topped Group A and were supposed to face either Australia or South Africa in the semifinals, but SA's better NRR meant India faced the Aussies.

Kuldeep Yadav celebrates with Virat Kohli after dismissing New Zealand's Kane Williamson (Picture credit: AFP)

Star spinner Kuldeep Yadav has said that India wanted to face Australia in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy rather than the finals, reminding one and all of India’s recent dismal history against Australia in the finals of ICC tournaments, ranging from the ODI World Cup to the World Test Championship.

India and Australia faced each other in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy, where the former won by four wickets, eliminating Australia from the tournament.

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Kuldeep recalled how India were glad to face the Aussies in the semifinals and not the finals, with some old heartbreaks still fresh in the minds.

“I had Hernia surgery in November, so it was difficult to come back and find the same rhythm. I believe that it was a good tournament for us. We wanted to face Australia in the semi-final; we didn’t want to play them in the final," Kuldeep told Michael Clarke while speaking on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast.

“It’s a different pressure. Much better to play them in the semifinal rather than in the finals," Kuldeep added.

India went on to beat New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai to lift the coveted trophy for a record third time.

The Indian team had been through five tough months in international cricket before the Champions Trophy. They required a landmark performance Down Under to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and remain alive in the race to the WTC Final, but that didn’t happen.

“We lost the series against Australia and there was a lot of media attention and the BCCI got strict as well. You have to be on your toes every series and that’s how it works here in India," Kuldeep said.

“You can’t take your place in the team for granted, because there are so many players coming up," Kuldeep added.

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One of the most important points discussed at a meeting after BGT concerned players not following protocols, which hurt the overall atmosphere in the dressing room.

Going forward, BCCI has said that a cricketer will require a pre-approved nod from the head coach or head selector to travel to and from games and training sessions alone.

First Published: March 28, 2025, 12:38 IST

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