New Zealand’s off-spinner Michael Bracewell addressed discussions about India supposedly having an unfair advantage in the Champions Trophy by playing all their matches in Dubai. He stated that his team is “excited to try and play in different conditions.”
Rohit Sharma’s team is scheduled to play all their tournament games in Dubai, including the final if they advance. New Zealand is set to play their first match of the tournament in Dubai against India on Sunday, following two previous games in Pakistan. Some cricket figures, including South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen and former Australian captain Pat Cummins, have mentioned that India is in a favorable position due to playing at a single venue, unlike other teams traveling to different locations in Pakistan.
India declined to travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to security concerns.
When questioned about India’s potential advantage in Dubai, Bracewell responded, “Look, it is what it is. The decision has been made, and dwelling on it is pointless.”
He added, “I personally find it exciting to adapt to different grounds and conditions. We are looking forward to learning and competing in varied environments.”
Bracewell suggested that the pitches in Dubai are likely to favor spin bowling, emphasizing the importance of effective training before their match against India.
“The wickets here seem to offer some spin. Therefore, quickly adjusting to these wickets will be crucial. We enjoyed the pitches in Pakistan,” he noted.
He further commented, “I believe we have a well-rounded team capable of performing in any condition. Our strength lies in adapting to different surfaces, and we aim to continue this approach.”
Regarding New Zealand’s consistent performance against India in ICC tournaments, Bracewell attributed it to the team’s ability to avoid pressure. He highlighted their recent Test series victory in India, where they became the first visiting team to win a series in 13 years, boosting their confidence for the upcoming game.
“We prefer not to put excessive pressure on ourselves. Coming off a significant Test series win gives us confidence, especially with our strong record against India in ICC events,” he explained.
He concluded, “We approach each game individually and avoid letting the occasion overwhelm us. This strategy has worked well for us in the past. We focus on playing our style of cricket, which seems to be a good matchup so far.”
Bracewell emphasized the importance of the match against India, despite perceptions of it being inconsequential. Both teams have qualified for the semifinals, and the outcome of Sunday’s game will determine group rankings.
“It’s definitely a significant game for us. Matches against India at ICC events are always major occasions. We are excited, and winning would provide valuable momentum heading into the semifinal,” he stated.
