India are strong favorites to claim a third record champions in Dubai on Sunday, but Rohit Sharma’s men face a New Zealand team with a lot of fire power in the first grand final of the white ball between the teams in a quarter of a century.
India, who refused to play in the host nation of Pakistan, has produced clinical performances to win the four games in the United Arab Emirates, including a victory in the group stage of 44 races over the black caps last weekend.
The 2002 and 2013 champions have stood out in the releases that offer a turn, while the batting group led by Virat Kohli has stood out under pressure with magistrates persecutions in victories about Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia.
India is about to win consecutive trophies of the International Cricket Council after the triumph of the Twenty20 World Cup last year, but coach Gautam Gambhir focuses only on Sunday.
“We still have one more game to go,” he told reporters.
“We know we are a good one -day team. The most important thing is the way we have played throughout this competition.
“Hunger, commitment and desire to try to do something special for the country are always there.”
With Mohammed Shami filling magnificently for the injured pacemakers Jasprit Bumrah and the all -terrain Hardik Pandya that offer a valuable batting depth, Rohit was delighted with the shape of key players who entered the decisive of the title.
“When you want to play in the final, you want all your boys to be fit,” he said.
“All these guys have had an impact every time they have an opportunity and that gives us a lot of confidence.”
Turn the script
Despite his perfect exhibitions in Dubai, India will give nothing for sitting against New Zealand, who defeated them for four WICKETS in the 2000 event final when the ICC Knockout trophy was called.
New Zealand batter Kane Williamson said his team has all the possibilities of derailing India in an important final once again.
“Obviously, it was a long time ago and a great victory for our country,” said Williamson, whose team also surprised India in the title clash of the World Testing Championship four years ago.
“Here, now, many things are different […] We will change our approach quickly to this next game, which is an exciting opportunity for us. ”
While India will feel more comfortable with the place, after having played all her games in Dubai, Williamson said anything can happen in a final.
“It was a great atmosphere in the last game, and I am sure that it will be a good again,” he added.
New Zealand goes to the match after having hit South Africa in the semifinal after registering the highest Champions Trophy of 362-6, with Rachin Ravindra and Williamson in Fetle Fettle after scoring centuries.
His spin unit, composed of Captain Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Ravindra, can cause many problems to India, who will aim to advance in Australia in the list of Champions Trophy winners.
Australia won the event in 2006 and 2009.
New Zealand will hope to have Matt Henry in his place after rhythm bowling player injured his shoulder against South Africa.
“Obviously, the surface will dictate a bit of how we want to operate,” said Santner, whose side was undone by the four -pointed rotating attack of India last time.
“It can be a bit slower than we are going to get in Lahore. Therefore, it could be more a scrap.
“But we are in waste.”
India hungry for the title of the Champions Trophy but not desperate: Gill
Meanwhile, starter Shubman Gill said. India’s hunger for a global title remained without decrease, but there would be no despair when they faced New Zealand.
India ended a 11 -year -old worldwide drought when they won the Twenty20 World Cup in the Western Indies last year under Sharma’s captaincy.
Stop that sterile race has allowed them to play great games as the final of Sunday without feeling overwhelmed for the occasion, said Gill, 25.
“Sometimes, once you get a title, I think that breaks the Jinx,” journalists at the Dubai International Crickt Stadium on the eve of the final.
“It gives you the impulse, you are not very desperate to get the title. It is not good when despair enters. Then it is difficult to set the opportunity of the equation.
“In all these great games, players or teams that can put aside the pressure and eliminate the occasion of the game have a better chance to win.
“I think winning the title in 2024 does not mean that we are less hungry, but I think it makes us more balanced than yes, we have won an ICC title and we will try to do our best to win this.”
India has been driven by Kohli’s return to the form and power of fire in its average order.
“I think this is the best batting alignment that I have been part,” Gill said. “Rohit and virat are large of one day. Rohit is one of the best White Ball and Virat openers is one of the best Odi batters in history.
“The batting depth we have has made life easier for high -order batters. Those of us in the superior order we play with such freedom due to our batting depth. “
