AHMEDABAD, India: India will attempt to become the first team to successfully defend the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup title when they face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, while the Black Caps will be chasing their first global white-ball crown.
More than 100,000 spectators are expected at the world’s largest cricket stadium, where the tournament will conclude in front of a largely partisan home crowd hoping to see India lift the trophy on home soil.
India enter the final as the world’s top-ranked T20 side and one win away from becoming the first host nation to claim the T20 World Cup.
However, the hosts carry mixed memories of both their opponents and the venue in recent global finals.
New Zealand defeated India in the 2021 World Test Championship final in England, while Australia stunned an unbeaten Indian side in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same Ahmedabad venue.
Despite those setbacks, India’s frequent appearances in major finals underline their consistency in global tournaments.
India’s balanced campaign
India’s journey to the final has not been flawless but the team has delivered when it mattered.
Sanju Samson has revitalised the top order with consecutive match-winning performances that helped propel the hosts into the final.
His presence has provided a useful left-right combination at the top of the order.
India have also shown flexibility with their batting order, adjusting according to match situations.
With the ball, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been central to India’s success, drawing praise for his ability to restrict batters in the shortest format.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya has also contributed effectively, though India remain concerned about the number of no-balls and wides conceded by Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dube, particularly during the death overs.
Frontline spinner Varun Chakravarthy has yet to find his best form, but Axar Patel has provided consistent returns as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
New Zealand’s resilient run
New Zealand’s path to the final has been far from straightforward.
They reached the semi-finals only after Pakistan failed to secure a large victory against Sri Lanka in the group stage.
However, the Kiwis produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by crushing previously unbeaten South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final.
Opening batter Finn Allen led that charge with a record 33-ball century.
Allen and Tim Seifert now form one of the most explosive opening pairs in T20 cricket.
Rachin Ravindra adds adaptability in the middle order, while Glenn Phillips provides aggressive firepower.
Matt Henry leads a sharp pace attack and New Zealand have strengthened their spin options with the late inclusion of off-spinner Cole McConchie.
Allen said the team thrives in high-pressure contests.
“It just shows that us as a team, we get up for the fight,” he said.
“Those important fixtures, we really get up for them as a team. We’re prepared to fight till the end.”
Underdogs aiming to silence the crowd
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India would start as favourites but said his team relished the challenge.
“I wouldn’t mind winning a trophy,” Santner said. “It’s going to be obviously a challenge where everyone knows we’re probably not the favourites.”
“But yeah, I wouldn’t mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once.”
Santner added that New Zealand hoped to replicate their semi-final performance against South Africa.
“I guess that’s the goal, is to silence the crowd,” he said.
“T20 cricket is fickle at times. We’ve seen South Africa playing very good cricket all the way through and then had a little hiccup against us and out.”
“So I think for us, it’s taking confidence from that and if we go about our business the same way, we can upset another big team.”
He also suggested that the intense expectations surrounding the hosts could create additional pressure on India.
“So I think that comes with a lot of added pressure as well,” Santner said.
“So if we can go out there and try and put that added pressure on them and see what happens.”
New Zealand, who lost the 2021 T20 World Cup final to Australia, are still seeking their first major white-ball world title.
India embrace pressure of home final
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said leading the side in a World Cup final at home was a special moment despite the pressure.
“Leading such a wonderful side into a final that is also on home soil, it’s always a special feeling,” he told reporters on Saturday.
“Of course there are nerves, there will be butterflies in the stomach but as I always say, if there is no pressure, there is no fun.”
Suryakumar said the team had already experienced the strain of knockout cricket after their narrow seven-run semi-final victory over England.
“There will definitely be pressure and nerves, especially playing in India and going for the title,” he said.
He added that India’s experience in major tournaments could prove crucial.
“There are a lot of players in this team who have played a lot of ICC events,” he said, highlighting the experience of players such as Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Suryakumar also credited former captain Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20 internationals along with Virat Kohli after India’s World Cup triumph in Barbados last year.
“The way, where he left, I got to learn a lot of things from him when I was playing under him,” he said.
“I tried to implement the same things with a few thoughts of mine as well. And it’s worked really well.”
