As India and New Zealand gear up for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy final in Dubai, net bowler Shashwat Tiwari has provided key insights into the Kiwis’ preparation. The final, set to take place in front of a packed stadium, will see two cricketing powerhouses battle for the prestigious title.
Speaking about his experience in the New Zealand nets, Shashwat revealed that the Blackcaps focused on improving their technique against spin, particularly left-arm spinners. He noted that while the batters worked hard to counter spin, there were clear signs of struggle in handling the variations.
Adjusting to Pace and Spin Variations
Shashwat explained that during the net session, one of the New Zealand batters requested him to bowl from 18 yards instead of the standard 22 to simulate the speed of Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
The batter initially expected a certain pace but later adjusted after realizing the ball was arriving quicker than anticipated.
“At first, they wanted me to bowl from 18 yards to match Jadeja’s pace. But when they saw the ball was coming too fast, they asked me to return to 22 yards,” he told ANI.
While he refrained from directly stating that the Kiwis were struggling, he acknowledged that India’s top-tier spin attack could pose significant challenges for them in the final.
India’s Spin Dominance in Previous Encounter
India’s spinners have already troubled New Zealand in the tournament, as seen in their previous group-stage clash. In that match, India employed a spin-heavy strategy, introducing mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy alongside their seasoned spin attack.
The ploy worked wonders, with Chakravarthy wreaking havoc by dismantling New Zealand’s middle and lower order, securing match-winning figures of 5/42. This effort helped India successfully defend a modest 249-run total, sealing a convincing 44-run victory. With the final on the horizon, Rohit Sharma’s men will be eager to replicate their spin success and secure another ICC trophy for their collection.
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