Is New Zealand the best-equipped team to pip India in Dubai?

New Zealand's depth in their talent pool makes them adapt to the idiosyncrasies of any particular venue. They have an enviable batting depth till #8, with batters in their top order who have the ability to play long innings, seamers with high release points and a varied and high quality spin attack that can stifle oppositions for good 30 overs between them.

India's spin trio have also been in great form, but the numbers do point to the fact New Zealand batters will be more than up for the challenge. Since the start of CWC 2023, New Zealand top both the average and strike rate against spin, even after 75% of their matches played in the sub-continent in this time period.

New Zealand's adeptness in tackling spin can be attested to the fact at how exceptional they have been in executing the sweep shot and its variants. The sweep is a high risk-high reward shot and if played frequently can throw bowlers off their lengths and make it difficult for captains to set fields in the middle overs with one less fielder patrolling the boundary.

The sweep shot played a big part for New Zealand in unsettling India's experienced spin attack during the whitewash at home and six of their top seven from that squad is likely to feature on Sunday's contest in Dubai. The pace and trajectory of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel and mystery of Kuldeep Yadav make it tough to go down the pitch or play them deep from the crease that makes the sweep a key arsenal for New Zealand in dominating the middle overs.

The Dubai wicket has had spongy bounce in the two games played there and the bowlers who can hit the wicket from an angle have done well there. India's decision to go with Harshit Rana ahead of Arshdeep Singh raised a few eyebrows, but Harshit has justified his selection so far, picking four for 58 in two matches going at under four an over, his high release point being a differential.

While Sunday's clash in inconsequential as far as the proceedings in Champions Trophy is concerned, it will be important for New Zealand to gain some key experience from playing in Dubai should there be a rematch for the title a week later. India will be wary of New Zealand given they have been party poopers for them in ICC events across formats in recent times and once again they look as if they are up for the India challenge.