Ahead of IPL 2025 CSK To Win Champions Trophy Final
This Sunday, New Zealand will play India in a big cricket match. Both teams feel good about their chances, India is having a time like home conditions, whereas New Zealand has a special Chennai Super Kings (CSK) advantage. Some of the New Zealand players are used to the playing conditions, which are similar to the pitches in Chennai, India. Notably, India and New Zealand have CSK players in the squad, so no matter who wins the Champions Trophy Final, the winner definitely will be the CSK.
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Connection
Players like Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry have played for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Because of this, they know how the pitches in Chennai play. The pitches in Dubai are slow, they get slower as the game goes on, and they offer some spin. This is very similar to the pitches in Chennai.
If you took the cricket pitch in Dubai and put it in Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, the CSK team would feel right at home.
Training at CSK Pays Off
Before this tournament, Rachin Ravindra trained at the CSK Academy in Chennai. He practiced on pitches similar to the ones they are playing on now. This training has helped him a lot. He has scored a lot of runs and two centuries in this tournament. Conway also trained in Chennai before joining the New Zealand team.
“There is definitely some element to it,” says Sriram Krishnamurthy, the head coach of CSK Academy. He explains that New Zealand players have time to focus on improving their game. They can use this time to get used to different playing conditions.
Getting used to the conditions is very important. Many cricket games are played in places like India. So, if players can get used to these conditions, it helps them a lot. The IPL gives New Zealand players a chance to play in these conditions.
Players like Rachin, Conway, and Mitchell have adapted their game to the conditions. They don’t try to use the same methods they use in New Zealand. Instead, they change their approach. For example, they don’t rely on sweep shots against spinners as much. They use their feet and try to hit the ball straight.
Different Players, Different Methods
Each player has their own way of dealing with the conditions. Conway is very good at playing against spin. He worked on understanding the conditions in Chennai. Rachin, who likes to play off the back foot, learned to use his feet more. He also learned to use the slog sweep. Mitchell, who is known for his sweep shots, tried to hit the ball straight.
“There is a vast difference to how you play spinners in New Zealand to here. If you have the same game, you will get exposed. When you have multiple options against the same ball, it sort of empowers you to put more pressure on the bowler and that’s what is needed in these conditions. That is the layer they have added to their batting. I think all New Zealand cricketers, ultimately, all pride themselves on being smart. Alongside, they develop the requisite skills that are going to support that thinking,” Sriram says.
Even when they are in New Zealand, players get creative to improve their game against spin. They practice indoors and use dry pitches to prepare. They don’t make excuses. They come prepared.
Santner Learns from Jadeja
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s captain and spinner, has learned a lot from Ravindra Jadeja at CSK. He has watched how Jadeja bowls and has learned to use different speeds. This has helped him take wickets in this tournament.
“When somebody isn’t playing they can easily get distracted and lose sight of the fact that they can still make it productive. When he isn’t playing, his attitude is to see how best he can learn. And obviously having someone like Jadeja at CSK would have definitely helped him because they have similar skills. Previously, he was known to be more of a bowler who can bowl on the quicker side and was not a big turner. But then you look at him for the last 2 or 3 years, you can see he is able to slow the ball down now. He is able to get more turn,” Sriram says.
The Big Match: Champions Trophy 2025 Final
New Zealand faced tough conditions against India last week. But going into the final, India knows that New Zealand can do very well in these conditions. India will have to play their best game to win. On the other hand, the experience of New Zealand’s players at CSK has given them a big advantage in Dubai. So, no matter who wins the Champions Trophy final, the winner definitely will be the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
