'Takes it out of you a little bit' - New Zealand coach opens up about team's 'hectic travel schedule' ahead of final against India

India and New Zealand are set to take on each other in the highly anticipated final of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The prestigious cricket quadrennial summit clash will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday, March 9, at 2:30 PM. Both teams are gearing up hard to clinch the glorious ICC title.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand head coach, Gary Stead, spoke about the hectic travel schedule of the Kiwi side to reach Dubai from Lahore, where they played their semi-final against South Africa, winning the game by 50 runs.

“We've got a couple of days now” – Gary Stead

Gary Stead revealed the tough travel day for the Blackcaps ahead of the high-octane final clash against the Men in Blue on Sunday in Dubai. 
“There's no doubt that coming here after Lahore - we had a full day of travel yesterday - takes it out of you a little bit. But we've got a few days now, a little bit of recovery and a little bit of planning and training towards the game,” said Stead to ESPNCricinfo.

“But I guess we're deep into the tournament now, and sometimes it's not always a lot of training that you need. It's just getting your body and your mind right to compete in the final. That will be our key focus over the next two days,” he added later.

Furthermore, the head coach also spoke about the positives for his side while taking on Rohit Sharma’s men in the summit clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

“We're lucky enough to have had one here against them. It was a good match, without us quite putting our best foot forward as well. Wherever you play, you just have to go up and be able to be better than them on the day, and that's our focus,” he said.