The Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand will be played on a used pitch in Dubai. This slow pitch will favor spinners, a condition where Team India previously defeated Pakistan.
IND vs NZ: The Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand will be held on March 9th at the Dubai International Stadium. Pre-match pitch reports indicate that this contest will not be easy for the batsmen. Notably, the chosen pitch is not new; it has been used previously. A match was played on this very pitch where the Indian team performed exceptionally well. This might be reassuring for India, but the New Zealand team is known for adapting to any conditions.
The Final Will Be Played on the Same Pitch as the India vs. Pakistan Match
Reports suggest the final will be played on the same pitch used for the India-Pakistan match on February 23rd. India easily won that match, played on a slow pitch that aided the spin bowlers. The pitch is expected to favor spinners in the final, potentially benefiting the Indian bowlers. However, New Zealand also possesses experienced spinners like Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, who could pose challenges to the Indian batsmen.
Favorable Wicket for Indian Spinners
Indian spinners performed exceptionally well in the India-Pakistan match. Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets, while Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja each claimed one. Spinners took a total of five wickets. Furthermore, Varun Chakravarthy is now included in India's playing eleven and could pose a significant challenge to the New Zealand batsmen. His spin bowling could prove a significant advantage for Team India.
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer Played Outstanding Innings on This Pitch
In the India-Pakistan match, Pakistan batted first, scoring 241 runs. India chased the target down, reaching 244 runs in 42.2 overs with six wickets remaining. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 100, while Shreyas Iyer contributed a crucial 56. However, Pakistan's spin bowlers also bowled competitively; Abrar Ahmed took one wicket for 28 runs in 10 overs. India will need to be wary of New Zealand's spin bowlers as well.
A Score of 250 Could Be Safe on This Dubai Pitch
In the Champions Trophy matches played on this Dubai pitch, spinners have generally dominated, and high scores have been uncommon. The average score on this pitch is 246 runs, relatively low for a One Day International. A score of 250 is expected to be a challenging target in the final. With the pitch confirmed, India is likely to field four spinners. It will be interesting to see the strategies employed by both captains and which team benefits most from the pitch conditions.
