Champions Trophy final: Williamson, Ravindra skirt talk of India advantage in Dubai

Kane Williamson raises India's familiarity with Dubai conditions ahead of Champions Trophy final against New Zealand.

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson reckons India have “real clarity” on how they want to operate in Dubai for the Champions Trophy final, having played all their games at the same venue but added that his team will also be reasonably well-prepared for Sunday’s finale.

Williamson scored a century as the Kiwis defeated South Africa in the semifinal on Wednesday (March 5, 2025), and fellow centurion Rachin Ravindra also shared his view on the Dubai pitch, saying that he feels adapting to the conditions will be key to succeed on an "unknown" surface.

Williamson did not specifically say that India had an advantage of playing at one venue. Except the group match against India in Dubai, New Zealand have played all their games in Pakistan. The Kiwis had also played two games in Lahore during the preceding tri-series involving Pakistan and South Africa.

India, on the other, have played all their matches in Dubai and are familiar with the conditions.

“I suppose having played there on a number of occasions, there’s real clarity in how they want to operate,” said Williamson when asked if India go into the final with an advantage of knowing the conditions.

“A little bit like our opportunity here (Lahore), having played a number of times at this venue as well and I think that’s part and parcel in cricket,” he added.

He was referring to New Zealand’s understanding of conditions in Lahore, where they beat South Africa. New Zealand had played two games in Lahore during the preceding tri-series involving Pakistan and South Africa.