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New Zealand Coach Gary Stead Reveals Toss: New Zealand head coach Gary Stead may have accidentally revealed his team’s strategy for the final against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The big match is set for Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
This will be the second time India and New Zealand face off in the tournament. They previously played each other in the group stage, where India won by 44 runs. India scored 249 runs and then bowled out New Zealand for 205, with spinner Varun Chakravarthy taking five wickets.
Chakravarthy a Big Concern for New Zealand
Ahead of the final, Stead admitted that New Zealand would likely choose to bat first if they win the toss. His reason? The threat of India’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy.
Speaking to reporters, Stead explained that it is easier for batsmen to face Chakravarthy during daylight. He acknowledged that the spinner is a major challenge for New Zealand and said his team must figure out a way to counter him.
“When you are facing a wrist spinner like him, you look for small clues as a batsman. I think it’s a bit easier to spot them in daylight,”
Stead said.
“There’s no doubt that he is a top-class bowler. He showed his skills against us last time, and he will be a big threat in the final. We need to come up with a plan to handle him while still scoring runs,”
he added.
Matt Henry’s Injury Update
Stead also shared an update on fast bowler Matt Henry, who is uncertain for the final due to a shoulder injury. Henry hurt himself while taking a catch during the semifinal against South Africa.
Although he briefly left the field, he later returned to bowl. Stead said the team remains hopeful, but Henry’s fitness is still unclear.
“The good thing is that he managed to come back and bowl. He has undergone scans, and we will give him every chance to play. But at this stage, we are not sure if he will be fit,”
Stead said.
“He is quite sore after landing on his shoulder, but we hope he recovers in time.”
New Zealand will be eager for Henry to be fit as he has been their best bowler in the tournament. So far, he has taken 10 wickets in 4 matches, including a five-wicket haul against India.
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