New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner admitted that his team dearly missed the presence of pacer Matt Henry in the Champions Trophy final against India. The Kiwis fell short in Dubai, suffering a four-wicket defeat on Sunday, March 9.] Henry had been a key figure in New Zealand’s campaign, finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 10 scalps in just four matches. His ability to generate movement, even on unresponsive pitches, made him a vital asset. However, he sustained a shoulder injury in the semi-final against South Africa while taking a catch. Despite his efforts to recover, he was unable to pass the fitness test for the final. Santner expressed his disappointment at Henry’s absence, emphasizing how crucial he had been throughout the tournament. in the post match conference, he stated, “He was the leading wicket-taker coming into this game. He’s been phenomenal with the ball, and he can get movement even on flat wickets. We certainly missed that today.” Henry’s injury was a tough blow for the team, both strategically and emotionally. The Kiwi skipper added, “I feel for Matty. He’s such a team player, and it was heartbreaking to see him miss out on such a big occasion. We wanted to win it for him.” Read also: Rohit Sharma Plants Stump on Ground During Celebration Overcoming Challenges Amidst a Grueling Schedule New Zealand’s journey to the final was far from easy. They had to adapt to different conditions, playing at all four venues used in the tournament. In contrast, India played all their matches at the same ground in Dubai, giving them a slight edge in familiarity. Santner, however, remained proud of his team’s resilience. He praised Rachin Ravindra, who bounced back strongly after suffering a forehead injury during a tri-series in Pakistan. Santner noted, “The way Rachin came back after his head knock and delivered was incredible." The team also had to adjust to last-minute changes, with Kyle Jamieson stepping in for Lockie Ferguson, who was ruled out due to injury. He further added, “Kyle flew in and bowled exceptionally well. It was great to see different guys stepping up.” Despite the disappointment of the final, Santner chose to focus on the positives. He concluded, “It was never going to be smooth sailing with so many quick turnarounds, but I couldn’t be prouder of this group.”