India’s Champions Trophy Venue: No Undue Advantage in Dubai
India’s batting coach denies claims of an advantage due to playing in Dubai for the Champions Trophy. He emphasizes that India’s success is based on performance rather than location. New Zealand’s head coach acknowledges the circumstances but is focused on their game strategy as they prepare for the final.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has countered claims that playing all their ICC Champions Trophy matches in Dubai provides them with an unfair advantage. He emphasized that the choice of venue was made prior to the tournament, denying any correlation between their success and location. Kotak stated, “The draw that happened, it happened before. After India winning four matches, if people feel that there is an advantage, then I don’t know what to say about it.”
India remains unbeaten after four matches in the tournament, including a significant victory over New Zealand in the group stage. The team was assigned Dubai due to political tensions that prevented them from touring Pakistan. Kotak remarked, “So nothing else can happen in that. It is not that after coming here, they changed something, and we got an advantage.”
The logistical challenges have drawn criticism, as teams, including South Africa, have had to travel back and forth between Dubai and Lahore. Kotak insisted that effective performance on the field is independent of venue and that all teams must adapt. Regarding their previous encounter, he expressed, “That depends how the New Zealand team thinks, but I think we should not think that.”
New Zealand coach Gary Stead acknowledged the circumstances around the venue selection but noted that it is beyond their control. He assured that their prior experience in Dubai would be valuable in the upcoming final, stating, “We have had a game here, and we’ll learn very quickly from that experience… if we’re good enough to beat India on Sunday, then I’m sure we’ll be very, very happy.”
In summary, both India and New Zealand approach the Champions Trophy final with distinct perspectives regarding the venue. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak refutes claims of an unfair advantage, attributing their success to performance rather than location. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s coach Gary Stead remains focused on their strategy, emphasizing the opportunity to learn from past experiences. Ultimately, both teams are primed for a competitive final as they prepare to face one another in Dubai.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
