New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner on Thursday admitted that India is well aware of the slow pitch in Dubai but also said that his team is ready for the 'challenge' in the final of the Champions Trophy. The New Zealand team reached Dubai on the evening of March 6 for the final. India and New Zealand will face each other in the final on March 9.

After arriving here, Santner said, "They have played all their matches in Dubai and they know that surface. Of course, the pitch will decide to some extent how we want to play. It may be a little slower than the pitch we got in Lahore. But we are ready to fight."

However, Santner said that New Zealand can take some solace from their experience of playing here against India during the group stage. In the Group A match, India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs, which was just a formality. Santner said, "We are playing against a good team. I think we will perform better than the last match against them. We are in a bit of rhythm. Hopefully, it will continue.''

New Zealand had to travel between Pakistan and Dubai in a short period for their last group match, semi-final and final but left-arm spinner Santner said the team has adjusted to the busy schedule in the last few days.

He said, "This is the normal experience of this tournament, a lot of travel. It is all part of the challenge. I think we have traveled everywhere here. 'Of course, in Pakistan and Dubai, I think the players understand that this is part of the game these days. As long as you are ready for the match, everything is fine.'

PC Social media