India will face NZ in the final on Sunday [Source: AP]
New Zealand have qualified for the Champions Trophy final, where they will take on India this Sunday at Dubai International Stadium. Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has revealed India's biggest threat to his side.
Stead Hails Varun Chakravarthy Before Champions Trophy Final
New Zealand's head coach Gary Stead stated that Varun Chakravarthy could be a game-changer with the ball for India in the Champions Trophy final. He recalled how Chakravarthy rattled New Zealand's batting lineup with a clinical five-wicket haul, expecting him to play a significant role in the ultimate clash.
"We certainly expect him to play after getting 5/42 against us in the last game. He's a class bowler, and showed his skills against us last time and he's a big threat in the game," Gary Stead was quoted as saying by TOI.
Gary Stead Unbothered By India's Home Advantage Talks
As New Zealand gear up for the Champions Trophy final, there are a lot of discussions about India's home advantage of playing all matches at the same venue. However, Stead seems unbothered by this debate, as he believes it's not something which is in their hands.
"The decision around that's (the schedule) out of our hands, so it's not something we worry about too much. India have got to play all their games here in Dubai, but we have had a game here and we'll learn very quickly from that experience," he added.
India and New Zealand entered the Champions Trophy semifinals as the top two teams from group-A. Coincidentally, they will meet for the second time in the tournament after winning their respective semifinal matches against Australia and South Africa.