Dubai, Feb 28 – New Zealand off-spinner Michael Bracewell has shrugged off any speculation regarding India gaining an unfair advantage in the ongoing Champions Trophy by playing all their matches in Dubai. Instead, he emphasized his team’s enthusiasm for adapting to different conditions.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, has played all its matches at the Dubai International Stadium, with even the final set to be held at the same venue should they qualify. In contrast, other teams, including New Zealand, have had to play at different venues. The Black Caps will face India on Sunday in their first match in Dubai after competing in Pakistan for their previous games.
Some international cricketers, including South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen and former Australia captain Pat Cummins, have pointed out the potential advantage India might have due to their consistent presence at a single venue. However, Bracewell played down the debate.
"It is what it is. It's been decided, and that's the way it is. There's no point dwelling on that," said the 34-year-old off-spinner when asked about India's supposed advantage.
"It's part of what makes the tournament exciting. I personally think it's about coming to a different ground and figuring out the conditions. We’re just excited to play in different environments," he added.
New Zealand Preparing for Spin-Friendly Conditions
Bracewell acknowledged that adapting to the playing surface in Dubai would be crucial for his team, particularly considering the spin-friendly nature of the pitches."The wickets here have looked like they've taken a bit of spin. So, it'll be good to try and get used to the surfaces as quickly as we can," he noted.
Having enjoyed the pitches in Pakistan, Bracewell believes New Zealand’s squad is well-equipped to handle varying conditions.
"We've got a pretty well-balanced side to play in any condition. Adjusting to the surface has been one of our strengths, and we hope to continue that," he said.
Black Caps Confident After Recent Triumph Over India
New Zealand has historically performed well against India in ICC tournaments, and Bracewell attributed this success to the team’s ability to remain composed under pressure.Their confidence has been further bolstered by a historic 3-0 Test series win over India, making them the first visiting team in 13 years to achieve such a feat on Indian soil.
"We don't put too much pressure on ourselves. The recent Test series win gives us confidence, and our record against India in ICC events has been strong," he remarked.
"We focus on taking it one game at a time, sticking to our brand of cricket, and not letting the occasion overwhelm us," he added.
India vs New Zealand: A Crucial Clash Despite Semifinal Qualification
While both teams have already secured their spots in the semifinals, Bracewell stressed that New Zealand would approach the match against India with full intensity. The outcome will determine which team tops the group heading into the knockout stage."It’s definitely an important game. Anytime you face India in an ICC event, it's a big occasion. Winning this match would give us strong momentum heading into the semifinals," Bracewell concluded.
The highly anticipated clash between India and New Zealand is set for Sunday in Dubai, where both teams will look to assert their dominance ahead of the tournament's crucial stages.
