New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner conceded that the familiarity of the Indians with conditions provides them an advantage in Champions Trophy 2025 final and it is going to be an uphill task for the Kiwis. But he was optimistic that his team was capable of acclimatization and performing in the big day.
New Zealand Prepped Up For Champions Trophy Final
New Zealand, with their sights on their first ICC ODI trophy since the 2000 KnockOut Trophy triumph, will lock horns with India in a make-or-break battle on Sunday. Santner thinks that having played India already during the group stages at the Dubai International Stadium will be an advantage for them. Interestingly, the final will be played on the same surface India used to beat Pakistan in their group-stage game.
Varun Chakaravarthy: The Biggest Threat For New Zealand
Irrespective of the pitch situation, Santner stressed the importance of swift adjustments. He especially wishes the Kiwi batsmen to deal with Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin better this time around, following the Indian bowler shaking their lineup with a five-wicket haul in the first encounter. Preparatory to it, Santner said his team has watched extra footage of Chakravarthy’s bowling in a bid to deal with him successfully in the third.
Mitchell Santner On Dubai Pitch
“We came up against a good side and on a spinning wicket, especially in the second inning (of the last match). We know India are probably going to go in with the same team.
“But we know it might be a different surface. So, I think we have to be ready and be adaptable for what’s coming,” he said.
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Mitchell Santner Reveals How’ll NZ Tackle Chakaravarthy
“I think guys will be better for the run against Varun. He’s obviously a world-class bowler, we’ve seen it here and obviously in the IPL and that little bit of mystery. But it was the first time some of the guys have been facing him. I think they’ll learn from the other day.”
“If the pitch plays a similar way, it’s going to be a challenge along with all three of their other spinners. We have looked at a little bit more footage.
“I think we obviously know what his threats are now. That 115K arm ball, that got me (in the last match) and that was a bit of a threat, but yeah, we know he’s going to be a challenge,” he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
