Follow UsNew Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has vowed that his side will come better prepared for the challenge of Varun Chakaravarthy, who left his side bamboozled with his mystery spin in the group stage clash last Sunday in Dubai.
Playing just his second-ever ODI, Chakaravarthy ran through the New Zealand batting line-up with his variations, finishing with figures of 5/42. The Kiwi batters found the 33-year-old impossible to handle on a surface that offered plenty for the slower bowlers.
But having come up against the mystery spinner, Santner insisted that his side are ‘ready’ for what will be thrown at them come the final.
“I think guys will be better for the run against Varun,” Santner said ahead of the final.
“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.
“If the pitch plays a similar way, it's going to be a challenge along with all three of their other spinners. I think, yeah, boys will be ready for tomorrow. We looked at a little bit more footage.”
Chakaravarthy is not the only bowler who took a five-fer in the group game. Matt Henry registered identical figures of 5/42 in the same clash. However, Henry’s participation is in serious doubt after he sustained a shoulder injury in the semi-final against South Africa.
Will New Zealand have their ace speedster available for the final?
“Yeah, 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. And then I guess we'll make a call after that,” Santner revealed.
India have been borderline invincible so far in this Champions Trophy on surfaces that have suited their strength. New Zealand will start the final as underdogs, but Santner believes that the team that turns up on the day will walk away with the trophy.
“We know India are going to be a challenge tomorrow. They've been playing some very good cricket. They understand these conditions pretty well. But I think we've also been playing decent,” he said.
“Admittedly, obviously, slightly different conditions. But I think 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 a trophy.”
There is no question that the final will feel like a home game for India due to the fan support in Dubai, but Santner, on a light note, asserted that he hopes for all the Kiwis back home to ‘skip work and watch the cricket’.
“I can't imagine there'll be too many black shirts out there tomorrow,” Santner said.
“But I guess we have the country behind us back at home. Admittedly, it's probably the middle of the night. But if everyone can kind of skip work and then watch the cricket, that'll be good.”