Santner Highlights India’s Familiarity with Dubai Pitches
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, upon arriving in Dubai from Pakistan, acknowledged India’s advantage of playing all their matches in Dubai, giving them a deep understanding of the conditions. Speaking to the media, Santner stated, India has played all its matches in Dubai. They know the pitches and conditions well, and apparently, the pitches tell you how you have to play.
He pointed out that while Dubai’s surface might be slightly slower compared to Lahore, adapting to the conditions will be key for New Zealand. This pitch may be a little slow compared to Lahore, but we are playing against a strong team. We hope to score more runs than before,he added.
New Zealand’s Momentum and Strategy
Santner expressed confidence in his team’s batting form and their ability to maintain momentum heading into the final. We are currently scoring runs, and hopefully, this streak will continue. The general impression in this tournament is that there has been a lot of teams coming and going, which is all part of the challenge,he remarked.
New Zealand has played matches in both Pakistan and Dubai, and according to Santner, the team has adapted well to different conditions. I think the players understand the situation these days,he said, emphasizing the importance of preparation.
Reflecting on the Semi-Final Performance
Santner praised his team’s efforts in the semi-final against South Africa in Lahore, where New Zealand delivered a strong performance to secure a spot in the final. The competition against South Africa in the semi-final was intense. The players performed well in the knockout stage against a very strong team,he noted.
Despite India’s dominance in the tournament, Santner remains optimistic about New Zealand’s chances. The final match is very different, and our players understand this well. We will try to improve on our performance from the group stage against India,he concluded.
New Zealand’s Road to the Final
New Zealand’s journey to the T20 World Cup final has been filled with ups and downs. Their ability to perform under pressure and adapt to various conditions has been a key factor in their success. The final against India will be a true test of their resilience, as they aim to overcome a team that has looked formidable throughout the tournament.
With Santner leading from the front, the Kiwis will be hoping to lift the trophy and make history in Dubai.
