Dubai: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has also raised concerns over India’s advantage in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Speaking upon his arrival in Dubai from Pakistan, Santner pointed out that India has played all its matches in Dubai, making them familiar with the pitches and conditions. He stated that pitch conditions naturally indicate how a team should play.
He noted that compared to Lahore, the pitch in Dubai might be slightly slower. Playing against a strong team, he expressed hope that his side would score more runs than in previous matches.
Santner further mentioned that his team has been performing well with the bat and hopes to continue the momentum. He acknowledged the general perception in the tournament that teams have had to travel frequently, considering it part of the challenge. He stated that playing in both Pakistan and Dubai has given players a better understanding of the situation.
The New Zealand captain emphasized that as long as players are prepared for the match, everything remains manageable. Reflecting on the semi-final in Lahore, he said it was a tough contest against South Africa, and his players performed well in the knockout stage against a formidable side.
He added that a final match is always different, and the players are aware of this. He assured that New Zealand would aim to perform better against India compared to their group-stage match.
