NEW DELHI: Mitchell Santner does not radiate intensity like some modern day captains. Nor is he the quintessential funny man whose clever one liners light up press conferences.

Yet in his own understated style, the New Zealand captain calmly addressed every question that came his way. That included queries about the Iran US conflict which has effectively shut down large parts of Middle East airspace and even the obvious comparison with Pat Cummins in 2023, when he famously spoke about silencing a massive Indian crowd.

How relevant does a T20 World Cup final feel when human lives are at risk because of the ongoing West Asia crisis?

"It's a hard one to avoid or not see because it is, you know, everywhere and it's obviously a pretty tough situation. Obviously, people at the World Cup have been affected as well," Santner said, choosing not to dodge the sensitive question the way many contemporary international captains might.

West Indies and England teams are still stranded in Kolkata and Mumbai respectively due to the shutdown of Dubai airspace and Santner said he understands the anxiety among fellow cricketers from those sides.

He acknowledged that it is difficult to focus purely on a sporting contest when people are unable to return home but added that the match remains their immediate responsibility.

"Guys not being able to go home. I think for us, it's, you know, it's trying to just think about what it looks like tomorrow for the game. And then, yeah, it's obviously a challenge to put that out of your mind.

"But I guess for us, it's thinking on, you know, what does tomorrow look like for us against a very, very good Indian team."

New Zealand eye elusive ICC title

New Zealand have reached five ICC finals in the last 11 years and Santner feels the team would like to erase the tag of finishing second that has repeatedly accompanied them in summit clashes.

"We just go out there and do our thing as a unit. It's been no different this time. And again, it's going to be obviously a challenge where everyone knows we're probably not the favourites. But we don't mind. But yeah, I wouldn't mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once," he said matter of factly, a smile still on his face.

He also did not attempt to downplay the magnitude of the occasion by calling it just another match.

"It's easy to say it's just another game, but everyone knows it's probably not. The way you go about it has to be the same, whether it's your preparation, what that looks like on the day, leading up to the game."

Moments will decide the final

Santner believes T20 cricket often comes down to a handful of key moments and he wants his players to make the most of those opportunities.

"It always comes down to a couple of moments, especially in T20 cricket, where if you can squeeze the opposition or take the advantage through there. I think we saw the other night."

The word ruthless is rarely associated with New Zealand cricket but Santner admitted that his side might have to show that edge in the final.

"If you can be very consistent in the way you approach the game, with bearing a couple of moments where you could potentially be a little bit more ruthless," he said.

"But I don't think you have to reinvent the wheel," he added.

(With PTI Inputs)