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The New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said Thursday that a slower land in familiar territory for India in Dubai would make a tight competition in the final of the Champions Trophy.
The two teams compete on Sunday to decide the winner of the eight nations tournament held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Rohit Sharma India plays all its games at the Dubai International Stadium after refusing to tour in Pakistan due to political tensions.
They beat Australia in the first semi-final.
New Zealand beat South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday and now returned to Dubai where they lost the last group match against India by 44 points.
“I guess the cricket finals are different, but for us, what we have done to bring us to this point was good,” Santner said when he arrived in Dubai.
“But obviously, we came against a good team, who played all their matches in Dubai and that we know this surface and we will be better for the race that we had the other day against them,” he said.
“Obviously, the surface will dictate a little how we want to work. Will be slower than what we have obtained in Lahore, could be more a piece.”
The tangled calendar of the tournament, with teams flying in and out of Pakistan’s water while India remained on site, was extremely controversial.
The locations were very different in the two countries.
The Pakistani tracks produced large total-the Black Caps displayed a record for the Champions Trophy 362-6 before restricting South Africa at 312-9 in the semi-final in Lahore, unlike the slow and turned bridges of the Dubai stadium.
But Santner said that the team had made the trip to their stride.
“This is part of the challenge,” said Santner. “We went to each place here, of course, in Pakistan and Dubai. But I think the guys understand that this is part these days.”
New Zealand has won a tri-series tournament in Pakistan with South Africa as the third team and had many of their players in great shape in the 50-Plus tournament.
The left-handed Rachin Ravira struck his second century from this tournament during the semi-final confrontation and made 164 points with Kane Williamson in shape, who struck 102.
“Obviously, this tri-series before-the tournament was practical in the guys who would fit, in particular in one of these tournaments which are quite short, three games and you are in the semi-finals,” said Santner.
“We had a little roll and I hope it continues.”
The captain added: “We are now here and the boys are quite excited for the upcoming challenge. A day off in training, but the boys are sparkling and ready for the main event.”
FK / EA / MW
