New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner interacts with Matt Henry throughout ICC Champions Trophy semi remaining in opposition to South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, March 5, 2025. — Reuters
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner couldn’t verify that tempo spearhead Matt Henry will probably be obtainable for Sunday’s Champions Trophy remaining however was assured they will tame India’s thriller spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
The event’s main wicket-taker Henry suffered a shoulder damage whereas taking a catch within the deep within the semi-final in opposition to South Africa.
“Matt’s going to have a bowl just to see how he is,” Santner advised reporters on Saturday. “I guess we’ll make a call after that.”
India beat New Zealand in a gaggle match in Dubai the place Chakravarthy claimed 5-42 along with his bag of tips that features off-break, leg-break, googly and the ‘carrom ball’ that he pushes along with his knuckle.
Santner anticipated India to area a four-pronged spin assault once more retaining Chakravarthy, who burst into prominence after impressing within the Indian Premier League.
“He’s obviously a world-class bowler; we’ve seen it here and obviously in the IPL and that little bit of mystery,” Santner, in his first international event as New Zealand captain, stated.
“But it was the first time some of the guys have been facing him. I think they’ll learn from the other day.”
New Zealand batters had seen extra footage of Chakravarthy however Santner felt India’s three different spinners might additionally show a handful.
“If the pitch plays a similar way it’s going to be a challenge along with all three of their other spinners.
“I believe we clearly know what his (Chakravarthy) threats at the moment are. That 115 kilometres per hour arm-ball that bought me – that was a little bit of a menace.”
India go into the ultimate at Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium as favourites and with their confidence sky-high.
They’ve received all 4 of their matches on the eight-nation event, together with beating New Zealand by 44 runs within the group part, though each groups had already reached the semi-finals by then.
Rohit’s facet have performed all their video games in Dubai after refusing to go to Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan due to political tensions.
In entrance of them lies a New Zealand staff hoping to win the event for the second time, having carried out so in 2000 in what was the second version of a contest likened to a mini World Cup.
India could be favourites and may have a lot of the gang on the 25,000-capacity Dubai stadium roaring them on, however latest historical past is definitely with New Zealand.
They registered a shock 3-0 Check whitewash in India in October and November final 12 months.
The Black Caps additionally maintain a transparent benefit over India with 9 wins, six losses and one no-result at international white-ball tournaments.
