Matt Henry concluded the Champions Trophy as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, an impressive feat considering he missed the final match.
Despite a shoulder injury sustained in the semi-final while catching Heinrich Klaasen, Henry’s determination to play in the final was evident. He had been instrumental in New Zealand’s campaign, including a five-wicket haul against India in a previous game in Dubai. His record against India in ODIs is strong, with 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 21.00.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged Henry’s absence in the final, where his replacement, Nathan Smith, bowled only two overs. Henry underwent a fitness test before the game but was unfortunately ruled out, causing visible disappointment.
“He was the top wicket-taker coming into this match, a truly exceptional bowler,” Santner stated. “He has a knack for finding movement on surfaces that appear unresponsive. We certainly felt his absence today. I sympathize with Matt; he’s a dedicated team player, and his disappointment was clear.”
Santner added, “We aimed to perform for him, knowing how tough it was for him to miss such a crucial game after coming so far in the tournament. He gave his all to be fit, but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.”
New Zealand faced additional challenges throughout the tournament. Unlike India, who played all their matches in Dubai, New Zealand had to travel between Dubai and three different venues in Pakistan, making them the only team to play in four locations during the Champions Trophy.
Rachin Ravindra, named Player of the Tournament for his 263 runs and three wickets, also overcame an injury scare, recovering quickly after a head knock sustained before the Champions Trophy. Kyle Jamieson joined the squad as a late replacement for the injured Lockie Ferguson.
“Tournaments like this, with quick game turnarounds, are never going to be flawless,” Santner commented. “However, what’s most encouraging is how different players seized opportunities and stepped up. I’m incredibly proud of the team.”
He continued, “We had players rotating in and out due to injuries. Rachin’s swift return and impactful performance after his head injury was remarkable. And Kyle Jamieson’s immediate contribution upon arrival was excellent.”
Santner pointed out that while fielding errors occurred in their defense of 253, the first innings batting performance was ultimately decisive. After a strong start of 57 for no loss in 7.4 overs, New Zealand lost three key wickets quickly, falling to 75 for 3. Spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav played a crucial role in stifling New Zealand’s momentum.
“Our first eight overs were outstanding,” Santner reflected. “But then, the Indian spinners bowled brilliantly to restrict us in the middle overs. Considering our initial momentum, we were aiming for a total around 275 or 280.”
“Credit must be given to Kuldeep for his impactful bowling immediately after the powerplay, and to Varun for his spell within the powerplay,” Santner concluded.
