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New Zealand batters have prepared for the tough spin challenge in Dubai from Indian spinners in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final on March 9. Net bowler Shashwat Tiwari revealed that he was asked to bowl from 18 yards instead of 22 as they wanted to prepare for India's veteran left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja.
“Today, I fortunately got to bowl. Well, at one point in time, he asked me to bowl from 18 yards just to prepare for Ravindra Jadeja. It is because of the kind of pace he has; he was expecting that kind of speed. We bowled from that point, and we did it nicely. But when he realised the ball was coming too quickly, he asked me to bowl from 22 yards,” he said, while in conversation with ANI.
“They are preparing for left-armers. I won't say they are struggling. Of course, our Indian team has top-class spinners, but I don't think they will be able to cope with them,” he added.
Same bowling attack for India in final?
India are expected to retain their spin quartet for the final as well. Apart from Jadeja, Axar Patel is a left-arm orthodox spinner whereas Kuldeep Yadav is left-arm chinaman bowler. In addition, the in-form mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is capable of troubling batters with his pace.
How New Zealand fared against Indian spinners in previous clash
In the group stage game against New Zealand, Chakravarthy claimed five wickets for 42 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Axar was economical as well conceded 32 runs from 10 overs and got the prized wicket of Kane Williamson. Kuldeep bagged two wickets whereas Jadeja claimed one. Jadeja's solitary wicket was of wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham who is known for tackling the spinners well.
Santner on Chakravarthy
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner talked about the threat posed by Chakravarthy. He expects his teammates to learn from their outings in the previous game.
"I think guys will be better for the run against Varun. He's obviously a world-class bowler we've seen it here and in the IPL. He's got 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," he said in the pre-match press conference.
"If the pitch plays a similar way, it's going to be a challenge along with all three of their other spinners. I think the boys will be ready for tomorrow having looked at a little bit more footage. We know what his threats are now. That 115kph arm ball, that got me - that was a bit of a threat," he added.
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