Mitchell Santner Confident as New Zealand Prepares for Champions Trophy Final Against India
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner discusses the challenges ahead for his team in the Champions Trophy final against India, acknowledging home advantage but expressing confidence in his team's preparation and adaptability.
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New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India's home advantage in Dubai but expressed confidence that his team is well-prepared for the upcoming Champions Trophy final against India on March 9. The Black Caps arrived in Dubai on Thursday evening, ready for the title clash.
Santner admitted that with all of India’s matches played in Dubai, the conditions might favor the home team. However, he emphasized that New Zealand is prepared to adjust to the challenges of the slow pitch. He mentioned that the surface may be slower than what they encountered in Lahore and that the match could become a "scrap," but they are ready for it.
In the group stage, New Zealand lost to India by 44 runs in a match that didn't impact the knockout stages. Despite the defeat, Santner believes the experience will help New Zealand in the final. He feels that the team is in good form and hopes it continues.
New Zealand's Champions Trophy journey has involved significant travel, moving between Pakistan and Dubai for their group game, semi-final, and now the final. Santner downplayed concerns about fatigue, stating that the team has adapted well to the tournament's demands. He added that the players understand the challenges of moving around and are ready to go for the game.
