Ahead of the high-voltage Champions Trophy final on Sunday (March 9, 2025), New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said India라이브 바카라 understanding of the conditions in Dubai made the assignment a “challenging” one, but exuded confidence in his team's ability to adapt. (Preview | Streaming | Full Coverage)
The Kiwis are searching for their first ICC ODI title since their triumph in the 2000 KnockOuts Trophy, where they beat India in the final in Kenya. “We know India are going to be a challenge. They've been playing some very good cricket. They understand these conditions pretty well,” Santner said at the pre-match press conference in Dubai on Saturday.
Santner hoped the experience of playing against India a few days back at the same venue in a league match will stand his side in good stead. “I think, obviously, having the run against India a few days ago will definitely help us out, understanding the conditions a little bit better.
“But it is a knockout game. And I guess whoever turns up on the day could take home the trophy,” he added.
The final could well be played on the same surface as the one that was used in India라이브 바카라 group match against Pakistan.
Santner said the team will have to be ready to adapt irrespective of the nature of the 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.
In that setting, Santner hoped that the BlackCaps batters will face mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took five wickets in the previous match, better in this match.
“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.”
Santner said the team has viewed the videos of Chakravarthy라이브 바카라 bowling a bit more coming into the final. “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.
In-form New Zealand seamer Matt Henry has been nursing a shoulder niggle, and Santner said a final call on his availability for the final will be taken later. “So we'll be going across the road and training after this. And Matt's going to have a bowl just to see how he is. Yeah and then I guess we'll make a call after that,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
