New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has played down the controversy surrounding India playing all their 2025 Champions Trophy matches at a single venue—the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He viewed the match against India as a valuable opportunity for his team to adapt to different conditions.
Pakistan is set to host the 2025 Champions Trophy, but after India declined to travel there, the ICC moved all of India’s matches to Dubai, sparking criticism over an alleged “unfair advantage.” Ahead of India’s final Group A match against New Zealand on March 2, Bracewell stayed neutral on the venue controversy, responding (as quoted by ‘The Times of India’):
“Look, it is what it is. It’s been decided, and that’s the way that it is, and there’s no point dwelling on that. It’s part of what makes it exciting. I personally think it’s coming to a different ground and trying to figure out those different conditions. We’re excited to try and learn and play in different conditions.”‘
📸📸 Prepping 🆙 for #NZvIND 👌👌#TeamIndia | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/YpL0V6aCKw
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 27, 2025
Although both India and New Zealand have secured semifinal spots in the 2025 Champions Trophy from Group A, the 34-year-old emphasized that Sunday’s match is still important. He stated:
“It’s definitely an important game for us. Anytime you take on India at an ICC event, it’s always a big occasion. We’re excited to play against India and the challenge that that provides. Obviously if you can win, then it takes a lot of momentum through to that semifinal.”
Up next: A match-up against India in Dubai to determine who takes top spot in Group A 🏏 #ChampionsTrophy #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/ZZOwbdm0q7
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2025
“New Zealand’s success against India comes without added pressure”- Bracewell
New Zealand has been a constant challenge for India in ICC events, defeating them in the 2019 World Cup semifinal and the 2021 World Test Championship final. Though India triumphed over New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semifinal, New Zealand made history earlier this year by sweeping India 3-0 in a Test series.
Reflecting on their remarkable success against India, Michael Bracewell mentioned that they don’t place too much pressure on themselves. He explained:
“I think we don’t like to put too much pressure on ourselves. Obviously coming off a great Test series win, it gives us a lot of confidence that we can, and we’ve got a really good record against India in ICC events as you said. I think we like to take a game and not try and let the moment get to us.”
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