Nasser Hussain hails New Zealand’s players, says they won’t choke against India in Champions Trophy final

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has lauded the Kiwis’ players for always giving their best in the major ICC tournaments. New Zealand have made it to the final of the ongoing Champions Trophy and they will face a potent Indian team in the summit clash at Dubai on Sunday.

Hussain said the Blackcaps won’t bottle up their aggression and they won’t choke against the Indians. The Kiwis are known to punch above their weight and they have once again made the most of their limited resources.

The likes of Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, and Matt Henry have performed consistently for the team. Mitchell Santner’s team seemed to have all bases covered and there is no doubt that the players will give their absolute best in the final.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain said, “They will not bottle it, they won’t choke. We were having dinner with [former Australia batter] Aaron Finch and he summed it up pretty well in saying New Zealand are never a side that beat themselves. And by that, he means that they will rock up and they will put in a performance. All the way through the New Zealand lineup they have some very, very tough cricketers who turn up to every single game and give it their absolute best – that’s why they will always be there around semi-finals and finals.”

Hussain added that New Zealand has a great mix of experience and youth in their team.

“They also have that great mixture between senior pros that have been there year in, year out – like Kane Williamson, one of the all-time greats – and youth in the likes of Rachin Ravindra. They may well lose [New Zealand], but if they do, it will be because India beat them.”

On the other hand, India had beaten New Zealand by 44 runs in the group stage of the eight-team tournament.

India will take on New Zealand in the summit clash of the Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday.