Champions Trophy: Ganguly, Ashwin have a word of caution about Kiwis

The news of India-New Zealand final of ICC Champions Trophy to be played on the same slow surface which hosted the India-Pakistan league tie earlier, has once again, raked up talk that the Men in Blue had been enjoying a ‘home advantage’ in Dubai. Once the hybrid model ensured that India would be playing all their matches in the UAE, they seemed privy to the conditions and inducted five spinners in a 15-member squad.

 However, two stalwarts of Indian cricket – former captain Sourav Ganguly and the just-retired Ravi Ashwin trashed such a suggestion and felt that matches still have to be won on the pitch. While both felt Rohit Sharma’s men will go in as favourites, they had a word of caution about the Kiwis for the adaptability they have shown in the past.

 Speaking on the final day of the Tata Steel Trailblazers Conclave 3.0, Ganguly felt the BCCI had nothing to do about their team not travelling to Pakistan for the event. “It’s the Indian government which doesn’t permit the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. The BCCI or the Indian team have got nothing to do with this,” remarked the Dada of Indian cricket, who had been one of the leading alltime rungetters in the Champions Trophy.

“I think the Virat Kohlis, Rohit Sharmas and Shubman Gills missed out on those pitches where other teams were scoring 350 for fun. I don’t think there is any undue advantage to play in Dubai which are producing totals of 240-250,” he said.

 Ganguly, under whom India finished runners-up in the 2000 edition (to New Zealand) and joint-winners in 2002, felt India have the edge in the final but also had a word of caution. “New Zealand are probably the toughest opposition for India at the moment. Their batting and spin bowling are formidable but I think India’s batting is stronger. We also have formidable spinners. India are the favourites but having said that, there are no favourites in a final,” he said.

 In a separate session, Ashwin pulled back no punches during a virtual interaction. “Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy and they were knocked out of the tournament. They have no business talking about (India’s) home advantage,” said one of the alltime great matchwinners of Indian cricket.

Citing the example of 2023 World Cup where India crisscrossed the country and played in nine different venues, Ashwin went on: “We were the team that travelled the most. Winning matches is down to playing good cricket.”

  A common takeaway from both Ganguly and Ashwin’s comments were that they held Mitchell Santner’s men in high esteem. “I’m nervy about the (Champions Trophy) final. New Zealand played really well in the semi-final. It’s a matter of immense pride that India have made back-to-back ICC finals. We are on the cusp of achieving something very special,’’ the master off spinner said.

 ‘’New Zealand, for one, doesn’t cry about the conditions. They make best use of their resources,” he added.

 Deep Dasgupta, former India wicketkeeper-turned-TV pundit was another panelist who said: “India have an advantage because they are a really good side. Nothing else matters.”