Wasim Akram, Ajay Jadeja warn India of New Zealand threat in Champions Trophy final: 'Won’t be easy for India'

Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram and former India batter Ajay Jadeja showered praise on New Zealand following their clinical victory over South Africa on Wednesday, and felt the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team were in for a tough fight in the Champions Trophy final.

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New Zealand set the date for a rematch against India in Dubai on Sunday after handing the Proteas a 50-run defeat in the second semi-final in Lahore, propelled by centuries from Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102) as well as captain Mitchell Santner’s three-wicket haul (3/43).

The Black Caps now face the undefeated Men in Blue at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday exactly a week after suffering a 44-run defeat against the same team at the same venue .

“They have an idea what sort of wicket they’re going to get. They’ll probably prepare much better on that pitch against India. Won’t be easy for India. India definitely are the favourites, but won’t be 70-30 favourites going into the final. It will be more like 60-40 – 60 to India and 40 to New Zealand,” Akram said on the DP World Dressing Room show on Ten Sports.

Wasim hails Santner’s calmness

Akram also praised Santner for his calm demeanour, which he felt had a positive impact on his teammates and reflected in their performances.

“That’s him as a person. There’s confidence and calmness. As a person, he and Williamson are very calm people, and have a calming effect (on the team). There’s a difference between being calm and being lazy. These are the calm ones,” the former Pakistan captain added.

Black Caps have their bases covered: Jadeja

Jadeja, who had captained India in 13 ODIs between 1998 and 1999, added that if there was one team in the ongoing tournament that could snap India’s winning streak, it was New Zealand – a team that he felt had their bases covered.

“If there’s a team that could beat India (it’s New Zealand). I had said I would like South Africa (as India’s opponent for the final), but this is the team that’s going to come because they have more bases covered.

“Rachin and Williamson, the ones tasked with anchoring the innings, handle spin well. In these conditions, New Zealand are the team that can give India a tough fight and make them pay for the smallest of mistakes,” Jadeja said on the show.

New Zealand will be hoping to go 2-0 up against India in Champions Trophy finals, having previously defeated India in the final of the 2000 edition in Nairobi, Kenya. The Stephen Fleming-led Black Caps had defeated Sourav Ganguly’s men by four wickets, thanks to all-rounder Chris Cairns’ match-winning century.