Toss and other factors for India, NZ to contend with

• India have lost the toss in their last 14 consecutive ODIs, including the World Cup final in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023.
• Despite this, India have managed 9 wins out of the 14 matches, with 4 losses and 1 tie.
• At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS), India have lost all 4 tosses but emerged victorious in each game.
• The DICS has been notoriously known for providing conditions that favor the team batting second, but there has been no decisive advantage for the chasing team in the Champions Trophy.
• The absence of dew in the air or on the ground has contributed to this trend.
• Mike Hesson, a former New Zealand coach, believes that the toss is not a big factor in the final.
• Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, may still have a slight advantage if he wins the toss.
• Hesson suggests that New Zealand will want to bat first due to the presence of Varun Chakaravarthy, the player of the match in the previous game against New Zealand.
• Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, agrees that the conditions will be different at DICS from Gaddafi Stadium but hopes for a good contest.
• Williamson refused to buy the argument that India have had an advantage by playing all games in Dubai.