'They Won't Be Able To Cope': Net Bowler Makes Startling Revelation About Kiwis
Since spin has played a massive role in the proceedings in Dubai, oppositions have found it hard to assume control when the spinners are bowling in tandem.
Net bowler Shashwat Tiwari, who New Zealand brought in to prepare for India’s spin challenge ahead of the Champions Trophy final, has revealed that they are preparing well for Ravindra Jadeja. Still, it would be tough for them to cope with India’s spin quartet, Tiwari said.
New Zealand were tricked by India’s four-pronged spin attack in their group-stage meeting in Dubai on Sunday, March 2, as they lost by 44 runs.
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The Kiwis were troubled by Varun Chakravarthy the most, who bagged a five-for in what was just his second ODI in his career.
“Today, I fortunately got to bowl. Well, at one point in time, he asked me to bowl from 18 yards just to prepare for Ravindra Jadeja. It is because of the kind of pace he has; he was expecting that kind of speed," Tiwari said while speaking to ANI.
“They are preparing for left-armers. I won’t say they are struggling. Of course, our Indian team has top-class spinners, but I don’t think they will be able to cope with them," Tiwari added.
Kiwi batters like Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham are known for their brilliant batting against spin.
Williamson and his team of batters went all guns blazing in the semifinal clash against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. They might not have the same luxury in the final, given the sharp difference in conditions.
“We were challenged by spin vs India in the middle overs the other night. When you lose wickets in clumps, it is not nice. I think when you rotate strike and hit an odd boundary, that helps," New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said at the pre-match press conference.
In the group stage game against New Zealand, Chakravarthy dismissed opener Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, skipper Santner and Matt Henry. Axar Patel dismissed Williamson, while Jadeja got the better of Latham.
Kuldeep Yadav also dismissed Mitchell and William O’Rourke.
Notably, not just New Zealand batters but their Indian counterparts will also need to be careful against spin. Axar was dismissed by Rachin Ravindra and KL Rahul by Santner in their last encounter.
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
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