Champions Trophy final: Kane thinks India has ‘real clarity’ on how to operate in Dubai

New Zealand batter says his team will also be reasonably well-prepared for the final against India due to past familiarity with conditions in Dubai

Lahore: New Zealand batting mainstay Kane Williamson reckons India has “real clarity” on how they want to operate in Dubai, having played all their Champions Trophy games at the same venue but his team will also be reasonably well-prepared for the tournament finale due to its limited past familiarity with conditions.

Williamson did not specifically say that India had an advantage of playing at one venue, choosing to compare it to New Zealand’s understanding of conditions in Lahore, where they beat South Africa on Wednesday to set up a final clash against the Rohit Sharma-led side in Dubai on Sunday.

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New Zealand had played two games in Lahore during the preceding tri-series involving Pakistan and South Africa. “I suppose having played there on a number of occasions; there’s real clarity in how they want to operate,” said Williamson when asked if India go into the final with the advantage of knowing the conditions. “A little bit like our opportunity here, having played a number of times at this venue as well and I think that’s part and parcel in cricket,” he added.

Having scored a hundred in the semifinal, Williamson is high on confidence and looking forward to the final. “It is what it is (India plays all games in Dubai). Our focus is the next match, the location of that match, the opposition, they’re all factors. Obviously, we played India once there,” he said.

“The conditions are different, so it’s important that we try and take away some of those positives and be nice and clear in how we’re trying to operate come two or three days’ time in the final,” he said referring to New Zealand’s loss to India in the group stage.

Both Williamson and Rachin Ravindra struck hundreds to fashion New Zealand’s emphatic win. Williamson called Ravindra, who has scored two hundreds in three games, a special talent.

“It’s a final, so it’s exciting. If we go back to Rachin, an incredibly special talent. It’s always great to bat with him. He goes out and he puts the team first and he plays with that freedom. “When we were out there batting together, there were moments where there were some good spells and it was a little bit challenging. We tried to feed off each other and keep each other focused on the job,” Williamson said.

“He’s so gifted, really, really confident, clear in what he’s trying to do. We’ve seen it on so many occasions. In big tournaments where he stood up and shone, and we’ve seen it here again in this one,” added the former New Zealand captain.

The conditions in the UAE have favoured spinners with the slow surface making stroke-making tough. But the fact that New Zealand have played a game in Dubai can only help them in the final, feels Williamson. “Yeah definitely the conditions are a lot different but you know that’s sort of the nature of the beast I think in any tournament that you have, conditions change a little bit throughout. For us, it was nice to have that last match against India. There’s some really good bits there,” he said.

“India is an outstanding team and playing really well. So, look, it’s important we try and take away some learnings from that last game. Park this match, and in a final, anything can happen.”