India vs New Zealand highlights, T20 World Cup Final 2026: India crush New Zealand to clinch third T20 World Cup title

Most expensive overs in T20 WC finals

24 - Ben Stokes (ENG) vs WI, Kolkata, 2016 (4 balls)
24 - Axar Patel (IND) vs SA, Bridgetown, 2024
24 - Lockie Ferguson (NZ) vs IND, Ahmedabad, 2026

Slower from Matt Henry and Abhishek Sharma launches this over long off fence. What a shot from the Indian opener. Nothing seems working for the Kiwis at the moment.

INDIA 64/0 in 4.4 overs vs NEW ZEALAND

STAT:


This is the first 50-plus opening stand in a Men’s T20 WC final. Previous highest: 48 between Kamran Akmal and Shahzaib Hasan against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 2009.

Expensive over by Lockie Ferguson.

24 runs off the over.

Two boundaries and two sixes off the over.

50 comes up for India

INDIA 51/0 in 4 overs vs NEW ZEALAND

SIX! Poor delivery from Lockie. Abhishek launches this one over long off. Superb shot from the left hander. He is different mood today. He wants to score big.

FOUR! Another bowing change. Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack. Abhishek comes down the track. He gets an edge and the ball said towards third man fence.

Three boundaries off Jacob Duffy's over. Two by Abhishek and one by Samson.

15 runs off Duffy's over.

Samson and Abhishek are shifting gears after a cautious start

INDIA 27/0 in 3 overs vs NEW ZEALAND

FOUR! Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma. The left hander breaks the shakles and smashes Jacob Duffy between mid-wicket and long-on for a boundary. Superb shot from the left hander.

Third bowling change in a row for New Zealand

New Zealand skipper brings Jacob Duffy into the attack

Will he draw the first blood here?

A brilliant start from Glenn Phillips.

Just 5 runs off the over.

A tight over from the offspinner

INDIA 12/0 in 2 overs vs NEW ZEALAND

Mitchell Santner brings Glenn Phillips into the attack

Sanju Samson takes a single and Abhishek will face the first ball of the final match.

What a shot. After five dots, Sanju Samson whacks Matt Henry over mid on. What a clean hit frrom the India's wicketkeeper batter. He is off the mark with a biggie.

7 runs off the opening over the FINAL match

INDIA 7/0 in 1 over vs NEW ZEALAND

A loud LBW appeal from Matt Henry against Sanju Samson. It' a loud appeal. Umpire says NOT OUT. New Zealand nottakign a review. Good decision from Mitchell Santner. There is an inside edge.

India openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are in the middle

Matt Henry will open the attack for New Zealand

For the final time, umpire says 'let's play'

It's a World Cup FINAL

Here we go ... !!!

It's time for national anthems

Jaedyn Randell sings the New Zealand anthem. She is a New Zealand Maori singer.

Kavita Krishnamurthy will sing India's Jana Gana Mana.

Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, alongside Jay Shah and Uday Shankar, walked out to the centre to bring out the trophy of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

The iconic silverware was then carefully placed on the plinth mounted on a pedestal, standing proudly at the middle of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad ahead of the grand final.

Electric atmosphere at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

STAT ATTACK:

11 of the 14 T20 World Cup knockout matches since 2016 (semis and the finals) have been won by the chasing side.

Each of the three wins for the side batting first was by India.

Most appearances in Men’s T20 WC for NZ

29 - Kane Williamson
29 - Mitchell Santner
28 - Martin Guptill
28 - Ross Taylor

New Zealand (Playing XI)

Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

India (Playing XI)

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

TOSS:

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner wins toss, opts to field vs India

As dusk began to settle over Narendra Modi Stadium and anticipation grew for the clash between the India national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team, chants of "jeetega bhai jeetega, India world cup jeetega" echoed through the packed venue in Ahmedabad, where thousands gathered for the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Fans from across the country began arriving early at the iconic stadium, eager to witness what many hoped would be a historic victory for the Men in Blue against the Kiwis in the highly anticipated final.

Supporters wearing Indian jerseys and caps crowded outside the stadium gates, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of the national side.

Many cricket enthusiasts who had travelled from different states spoke about their excitement at watching the final in person.

A group of fans from Kerala said they had travelled specifically to support Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy.

"We are here from Kerala for Sanju Samson and Varun (Chakravarthy). They will bring the World Cup to India. It will be a tough match. Last time we lost to Australia, but this time the victory will be ours," said Manoj Kumar, a cricket fan from Kerala.

Another supporter from the southern state confidently said, “Samson will score a century today.”

Ketan Yadav, who travelled from Pune, expressed strong belief in the Indian side.

"Hardik Pandya will show his aura this time, and India will definitely win," he said.

Adding a spiritual dimension to the occasion, a man from Dwarka, Gujarat arrived at the stadium carrying an idol of Bal Gopal Krishna.

"I had taken a vow that if India reached the final, I would bring Shri Krishna to Ahmedabad to watch the match and witness India’s victory. With the blessings of Lord Krishna, we will win today,” said Milanbhai.

"I had taken a vow that if India reached the final, I would bring Shri Krishna to Ahmedabad to watch the match and witness India's victory. With the blessings of Lord Krishna, we will win today," he added.

Despite the intense afternoon heat marking the start of summer, large groups of fans continued waving the national flag and chanting slogans in support of the team.

"Jeetega bhai jeetega, India jeetega," supporters shouted enthusiastically outside the stadium.

Meanwhile, vendors selling Indian team merchandise — including jerseys, T-shirts, caps and flags — reported brisk business as fans lined up to buy souvenirs before entering the venue.

Security arrangements around the stadium were extensive to ensure the high-profile match passed off smoothly.

For the first time during a match, holding areas were created near Gates 1 and 2 as a precaution to prevent overcrowding, officials said.

"As part of bandobast, around 3,000 police personnel and around 1,000 home guards have been deployed. This time, we have created holding areas at gate nos. 1 and 2 near the main road to prevent any possibility of a stampede. We are implementing this for the first time during the match," said G.S. Malik, Commissioner of the Ahmedabad Police.

He added that three anti-drone systems and eight Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) teams had also been deployed as part of the comprehensive security arrangements.

The excitement surrounding the final was also reflected in travel and accommodation demand. Airfares to Ahmedabad surged sharply on major routes.

The rush of fans prompted Indian Railways to introduce special trains to the city.

Hotel tariffs in Ahmedabad also soared ahead of the India–New Zealand clash, with room rates rising by as much as 300 to 400 percent, according to an industry representative.

Ricky Martin and Sukhbir Singh set Ahmedabad on fire with electrifying performances during the closing ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final between India national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team. Ricky Martin had the crowd dancing to “Shake Your Bon-Bon,” while Sukhbir’s energetic “Oh Ho Ho Ho” turned the stadium into a massive party. Fans roared, cheered and sang along, creating a thunderous atmosphere before the much-awaited final.

Sanju Samson was quick with his response when reminded that he had missed out on two centuries. “Missed out? I haven’t missed two centuries. One of the best moments of my life is happening, so I’m grateful,” he said.

This has been Samson’s World Cup so far. His unbeaten 97 off 50 balls helped India chase down 196 against West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal in Kolkata. That was followed by a fearless 89 against England in the semifinal.

Against England, Samson stitched a 97-run stand with Ishan Kishan and then added 43 with Shivam Dube. It’s clear his decade-long experience has given him clarity about his role.


“I was timing the ball well and making good decisions. I’ve played 300-400 T20s, batted from No. 1-6 and captained an IPL franchise. I understand what the team needs and my role in the XI. That clarity helps you score runs the way you want to,” he said.

For a player who spent years grappling with inconsistent opportunities, scrutiny and selfdoubt, Samson finally seems to have arrived with a bang. Asked if he felt lighter, the 31-year-old quipped, “One more match. Then I’ll feel very light.

“I waited with patience, worked hard, trained a lot. But we still have one more step to go. If we do that, then everything will be worth it,” he said.

From being dropped after the series against New Zealand to playing hero in a World Cup semifinal, the Kerala batter has risen like the phoenix. “That phase was very challenging,” he admitted. “I was trying a bit too hard to make an impact and get into the World Cup XI. In T20, even the best struggle to score runs.”

Samson among 8 nominees for player of the tournament

Sanju Samson’s name figures in the ICC’s eight-man shortlist for the T20 World Cup player of the tournament.

The others are England’s Will Jacks, Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi and Aiden Markram, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert and American bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk.

How easy is it for a middle-order batter — someone known for rescuing innings with stubborn resistance, occupying the crease, frustrating bowlers and steadily ticking the scoreboard — to suddenly be asked to open the innings in the T20 format and go all guns blazing from ball one?

Finn Allen is one of the finest examples of a batter who successfully made that transformation, reinventing himself from a middle-order player into a destructive T20 opener.

The story dates back to 2020, when the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. A 20-year-old Allen had just been introduced to his Wellington Firebirds coach Glenn Pocknall. Pocknall, known for his aggressive philosophy in the New Zealand domestic circuit, quickly took an interest in the young batter's development after Allen joined the side.

Initially, the coach watched Allen bat for a couple of matches at No.4 or No.5.

Then came the turning point.

One day, Pocknall walked into Allen’s room, skipped the usual greetings and delivered a blunt instruction and left: “Bat at No.1 tomorrow. It’s a T20 match.”

Allen responded with a brisk knock at a healthy strike rate. But for Pocknall, that was only the beginning of the experiment.

The coach had a bigger vision. He wanted Allen to become an opener — and eventually a long-term option at the top of the order for New Zealand ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Under Pocknall’s guidance, Allen gradually transformed from an inconsistent middle-order batter into one of New Zealand’s most explosive opening batters in T20 cricket. Recognising his potential early in 2020, Pocknall worked closely with the youngster, helping him reshape his approach and refine his attacking game.

"Finn was 20 years old when I first came across him. We played him in a four-day match and he was batting in the middle order. He scored 50, but it was the way he went about his innings that caught my attention. He looked like he could hit the ball anywhere, played with freedom, had a lot of power and just looked in total control. A little bit rough around the edges, but in total control. I spoke to him that winter — this was in 2020 — and said I'd really love for you to come down and play for us the next season and offered him a contract. He was keen to know where he stood," Pocknall told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

Ahead of India national cricket team’s final clash against New Zealand national cricket team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has urged the Men in Blue to “play like champions,” expressing confidence that they can lift the trophy if they perform to their full potential.

This will be India’s fourth appearance in a T20 World Cup final — the most by any team in the tournament’s history.

India will also be chasing several historic milestones. They aim to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to successfully defend the title and the first side to claim a record third T20 World Cup crown when they face New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening.

New Zealand, meanwhile, are chasing their first limited-overs world title. Their only ICC trophy in recent years came when they won the ICC World Test Championship Final 2021 after defeating India.

"From my side, a lot of wishes to Team India. You have to play like champions. If they play to their fullest potential, nothing can stop them from becoming champions. Just go out there and 'chakk de phatte'. Go, India," Harbhajan said in a video message ahead of the match.

In ICC knockout matches, India hold a 2–3 head-to-head record against New Zealand. The Kiwis defeated India in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy final, the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final and the ICC World Test Championship Final 2021. However, India have responded with key wins in recent years — including the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai. Those victories could provide a significant psychological boost for the Indian side.

Despite the recent successes, one statistic still favours New Zealand — India have never beaten the Kiwis in a T20 World Cup match. New Zealand defeated India by 10 runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2007 in South Africa, outplayed them again in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2016, and knocked them out during the group stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 in the United Arab Emirates.

Overall, however, India lead the head-to-head record in T20 Internationals against New Zealand 18–11, with one match ending in a tie.

New Zealand are now just one win away from completing a remarkable turnaround. After suffering a disappointing group-stage exit in the 2024 edition, the BlackCaps have staged an impressive comeback at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Recording five victories and only two defeats so far, New Zealand have surged into the final and stand on the brink of securing their first-ever title.

Standing between them and that historic triumph is Team India, the very side that denied them silverware in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final exactly a year ago. As the two teams prepare to meet once again on the biggest stage, New Zealand will be eager to turn the tables and complete their redemption story.

In front of hundreds of thousands of people, two teams, India and New Zealand, will cross swords with history beckoning for both sides. Before the summit clash, let’s dissect the Kiwis’ history at the world’s largest stadium.

New Zealand have played only two matches at the venue in the T20I format and are still in search of their first-ever win in Ahmedabad, having lost both the previous encounters.

Of their two T20I games at the venue, one came during the T20 World Cup this season, when they faced South Africa in a group stage clash, where they faced their first major test against an unbeaten Proteas side.

Early aggressive plays by Marco Jansen caused problems for the opposition, reducing their score to 58/3 within the powerplay. Mark Chapman’s smooth 48 off 26 balls, combined with Daryl Mitchell’s reliable 32 from 24 deliveries, enabled the Black Caps to regain control and reach a total of 175/7.

New Zealand played their first-ever T20I at this venue in February 2023 against the hosts. India produced a commanding all-round display to crush the Kiwis by 168 runs after piling up an imposing 234/4 in 20 overs.

After losing Ishan Kishan early, India were powered by a superb unbeaten century from Shubman Gill. Gill smashed 126 off just 63 balls, striking 12 fours and seven sixes at a blistering strike rate of 200. He received strong support from Rahul Tripathi, who made a quickfire 44 off 22 balls as the pair helped India race along in the powerplay. Contributions from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya further boosted the total, with Gill sharing a crucial 103-run partnership with Pandya.

Chasing a daunting target, New Zealand’s innings never recovered after a disastrous start that saw them slump to 7/4 inside three overs. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 36, but wickets kept falling. Pandya led the bowling effort with 4/16, while Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik claimed two wickets each as New Zealand were bowled out for 66 in 12.1 overs.

New Zealand’s record in Ahmedabad in T20Is:

Played: 2

Won: 0

Lost: 2

New Zealad’s record in Ahmedabad at T20 World Cup 2026:

Played: 1

Won: 0

Lost: 1

Both are chasing history. No country has won the T20 World Cup consecutively, nor has a host ever won the tournament. Defending champs India would love to change that script. New Zealand hasn’t lifted a white-ball WC trophy ever. The Kiwis would cherish flying home with their first. A tough encounter is expected with both sides unlikely to cede an inch. Grab the remote and your favorite beverage on Sunday evening. Just take care not to chew off your nails.

POSITIVES: The one and only Jasprit Bumrah. Keeper-batter Sanju Samson in the form of his life with a strike rate of 202. Packed with match-winning all-rounders with big-match temperament (Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel)

CONCERNS: Batting form of Abhishek Sharma. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s decline in effectiveness and worsening economy rate (8.9). Inferior fielding unit compared to their rivals

NAGGING QUESTION: Will coach Gautam Gambhir make changes or play safe?

TOP RUN-GETTER IN 2026 WC: Ishan Kishan. 263 runs

TOP WICKET-TAKER IN 2026 WC: Varun Chakravarthy. 13 wickets

POSITIVES: Intimidating batting form of openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert. Well-rounded pace attack. Top class fielding unit. Ability to come up with shrewd plans and execute with precision

CONCERNS: Makeshift fifth bowler can be taken to cleaners. Inexperience of playing finals. The crowd will be rooting for their opponents. New Zealand lost to S Africa in their group game. That match was also held in Ahmedabad

NAGGING QUESTION: Can Santner return to wicket-taking form? The spinner has taken only 2 wkts so far

HIGHEST RUN GETTER IN 2026 WC: Finn Allen. 289 runs. Strike rate. 204

HIGHEST WICKET-TAKER IN 2026 WC: Rachin Ravindra. 11 wkts

Mind games are rarely part of an India– New Zealand contest but with the 2026 T20 World Cup final coming up, the pre-match chatter has acquired a slightly sharper edge. A few hours after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his team would aim to “silence” the packed Indian crowd, skipper Suryakumar Yadav brushed off the comment, saying such lines are routinely used before big games.

“Sab same line chipka rahe hai. Kuch toh naya bolo (everyone is repeating the same line. Say something new),” Surya quipped.
“The goal is to silence the crowd — that’s what everyone says. But T20 cricket is fickle and there are a lot of variables. If we go about our business the same way we have been doing, we can handle any challenge,” he added.


Surya admitted that leading India in a World Cup final comes with added pressure but said the team was embracing the occasion, especially with the title clash being played at home.
“It’s a special feeling and everyone is very excited. We have a very good environment in the group and we are looking forward to the final,” he said. “As a leader, there is pressure — I cannot deny that. But there is also excitement about playing a World Cup final, that too in India.”

Captain backs Varun

One potential concern for India has been the recent form of mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Since the Super 8 stage, Varun has struggled against stronger sides, returning figures of 1/47 against South Africa, 1/35 against Zimbabwe and 1/40 against West Indies.

His toughest outing came in the semifinal against England at the Wankhede Stadium, where he conceded 1/64 in four overs, with Jacob Bethell smashing 42 runs off just 13 balls against him.

Despite speculation that left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav could replace him for the final, Surya backed Varun.

“Varun’s form is not a concern for us. Our focus is on winning games,” he said. “He is the world’s No. 1 bowler and knows how to help this team win. We want to keep things simple. Captaining India in such a big final is a very special moment for me.”

There has also been plenty of discussion around the nature of the pitch for the final, with speculation over whether it will be a red-soil or black-soil surface.

Surya said he had not yet had the chance to inspect it closely. “I came here straight from the dressing room, so I haven’t had a proper look yet,” he said. “Some of our players and staff were standing in the middle earlier. We’ll see what kind of pitch it is tomorrow but we have to play the final here any way. Any soil is fine.”

India have played on both red and black soil surfaces and Surya said his team was comfortable adapting. On whether India would prefer to chase or defend, the skipper said the side was prepared for either situation. “We are equipped to do both. We have chased and won and we have defended totals,” he said.

A stadium of more than one lakh spectators, a nation watching and history within touching distance. Favourites India are one win away from a record third T20 World Cup crown when they take on New Zealand in Sunday’s final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Suryakumar Yadav’s side can also become the first team to successfully defend the T20 title — and the first to lift it three times.

The build-up has been relentless. With every passing hour closer to the start of the final, the weight of expectation will only increase on Suryakumar Yadav’s men. India arrive here after outgunning England in a high-scoring semifinal and know the pressure is as much psychological as tactical.

Yet this venue has tested them before. On Nov 19, 2023, Rohit Sharma’s men suffered a six-wicket defeat to Australia in the ODI World Cup final here. More recently, South Africa handed India a humiliating 76-run defeat in the opening Super 8 match of this very tournament, briefly putting their qualification hopes in jeopardy.

India redeemed themselves after the 2023 heartbreak by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados and the 2025 Champions Trophy, but the opportunity to complete the circle now comes at the same ground. Lifting the trophy in Ahmedabad on Sunday will feel like the final piece of that recovery.

For Suryakumar, the final also carries personal significance. Batting at No. 7 in the 2023 ODI World Cup final here, he managed just 18 off 28 balls as India faltered under pressure. The current captain will relish the chance of setting the record straight at this venue.

India have not lost a final since that Nov evening in 2023, having defeated South Africa and New Zealand to clinch the next two white-ball tournaments. Exactly 364 days ago, on March 9, 2025, Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role with a brilliant 76 in Dubai as India lifted the Champions Trophy.

Much of India’s batting momentum in this tournament has come from Sanju Samson, who has produced match-winning knocks of 97* and 89* in the last two matches. His resurgence has been remarkable, especially after being dropped from the XI at the start of the tournament.

The hosts will also hope for a big contribution from their captain. Since rescuing the side with an unbeaten 84 against the USA in the opening match, Surya has been relatively quiet, scoring 242 runs in eight matches at an average of 34.57 and a strike rate of 137.5.

India’s biggest weapon with the ball remains Jasprit Bumrah. His double strike in the 12th over proved decisive against West Indies in the virtual quarterfinal at Eden Gardens, while his economical spell in the semifinal restricted England to 246/7 when they were threatening to chase down 254.

Hardik Pandya also played a crucial role in that win with figures of 2/38 and a stunning run-out of centurion Jacob Bethell with a bullet throw from longoff in the final over. Axar Patel chipped in with two sensational catches to tilt the match India’s way.

Not everything has gone according to plan. Two of India’s biggest matchwinners in recent times, explosive opener Abhishek Sharma and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, have struggled for form.

Playing his first T20 World Cup, Abhishek has endured a disappointing campaign with just 89 runs in seven matches at an average of 12.71. With the left-hander vulnerable against off-spin, New Zealand could look to exploit that weakness through Cole McConchie.

Chakravarthy, despite being India’s leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets in eight matches, has also lost rhythm in the latter stages of the tournament, managing just four wickets in the last four games. Though Kuldeep Yadav is an option, it may be too late for India to make a change now.

As India gear up for the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, every selection decision is under intense scrutiny. One debate in particular has gripped the cricketing world — whether the team should continue backing Abhishek Sharma despite his lean patch, or make a bold call by bringing in Rinku Singh for the title clash.

With the trophy at stake, the discussion has divided fans and experts alike.

Abhishek’s numbers in the tournament make for difficult reading. In seven matches, the left-handed batter has registered scores of 0, 0, 0, 15, 55, 10 and 9 — accumulating just 89 runs at an average of 12.71.

Apart from a single half-century against Zimbabwe national cricket team, consistency has eluded him, raising questions about whether India can afford to persist with him in such a crucial game.

The debate has exploded across social media platforms, especially on X, where fans remain sharply divided over the decision facing team management.

“You can’t take risks with a person who is consistently flopping. This is the final and we must go with full strength, without any weak link,” wrote one fan.

Another supporter suggested that opposition teams have already figured out how to dismiss the youngster. “Abhishek has become so predictable. New Zealand will make sure he doesn’t score either. Rinku should come in.”

However, some fans believe the young batter could still deliver a match-defining performance on the biggest stage. “Abhishek can be our X factor in the final. There is a big inning due from him. He might deliver big in the finale,” another fan commented.

For the team management, it presents a classic dilemma — whether to trust the process and continue backing a player through a difficult phase, or make a pragmatic decision in pursuit of the title.

Attention will now turn to head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. Will they stick with the combination that carried India to the final, or opt for a late change by drafting in Rinku Singh?

While a change appears unlikely at this stage, the final call will reveal whether India prioritise continuity or choose caution under the pressure of a World Cup final.

India vs New Zealand Final

Date & Time: India will take on New Zealand national cricket team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, March 8. The match will begin at 7:00 PM (IST).

Venue:
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Live Telecast:
Star Sports Network

Live Streaming:
JioHotstar app

As India gear up for the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, every selection decision is under intense scrutiny. One debate in particular has gripped the cricketing world — whether the team should continue backing Abhishek Sharma despite his lean patch, or make a bold call by bringing in Rinku Singh for the title clash.

With the trophy at stake, the discussion has divided fans and experts alike.

Abhishek’s numbers in the tournament make for difficult reading. In seven matches, the left-handed batter has registered scores of 0, 0, 0, 15, 55, 10 and 9 — accumulating just 89 runs at an average of 12.71.

Apart from a single half-century against Zimbabwe national cricket team, consistency has eluded him, raising questions about whether India can afford to persist with him in such a crucial game.

The debate has exploded across social media platforms, especially on X, where fans remain sharply divided over the decision facing team management.

“You can’t take risks with a person who is consistently flopping. This is the final and we must go with full strength, without any weak link,” wrote one fan.

Another supporter suggested that opposition teams have already figured out how to dismiss the youngster. “Abhishek has become so predictable. New Zealand will make sure he doesn’t score either. Rinku should come in.”

However, some fans believe the young batter could still deliver a match-defining performance on the biggest stage. “Abhishek can be our X factor in the final. There is a big inning due from him. He might deliver big in the finale,” another fan commented.

For the team management, it presents a classic dilemma — whether to trust the process and continue backing a player through a difficult phase, or make a pragmatic decision in pursuit of the title.

Attention will now turn to head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. Will they stick with the combination that carried India to the final, or opt for a late change by drafting in Rinku Singh?

While a change appears unlikely at this stage, the final call will reveal whether India prioritise continuity or choose caution under the pressure of a World Cup final.

India vs New Zealand Final

Date & Time: India will take on New Zealand national cricket team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, March 8. The match will begin at 7:00 PM (IST).

Venue:
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Live Telecast:
Star Sports Network

Live Streaming:
JioHotstar app

Live visuals from the Narendra Modi Stadium show that the Indian cricket team has arrived at the venue ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 final.

Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Rinku Singh and the rest of the squad stepped down from the team bus before heading straight to the dressing room as preparations begin for the big clash.

With both teams getting ready and fans steadily filling the stands, the atmosphere is building rapidly. All signs point to an electrifying contest as India and New Zealand gear up for the summit clash.

Live visuals from the Narendra Modi Stadium show that the New Zealand cricket team has arrived at the venue ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 final.

Mitchell Santner’s men stepped down from the team bus and made their way straight into the dressing room as preparations begin for the big clash.

With both teams gearing up and fans filling the stands, the atmosphere is building quickly. All signs suggest a thrilling final as India and New Zealand get ready.

India will face New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday in Ahmedabad, with the hosts aiming to achieve several milestones in the tournament’s history.

The defending champions are looking to become the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title and also the first side to win the tournament three times. India won the previous edition in 2024 after defeating South Africa in the final.


India suffered a heavy defeat to South Africa on February 22 in a Super 8 match of the tournament, but recovered to win their remaining Super 8 matches and reach the semi-finals. They then defeated England in a close and high-scoring semi-final.

More than 100,000 spectators are expected at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the final. While India will aim for another world title in front of a home crowd, New Zealand will look to win the trophy for the first time.

India enter the final as hosts and defending champions and have also recorded recent bilateral series wins against New Zealand. However, New Zealand hold a strong record against India in T20 World Cup matches, having won all three previous meetings between the teams in the tournament.


T20 World Cup 2007: New Zealand won by 10 runs in Johannesburg


In the first edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori delivered a strong all-round performance. He took 4 for 20 and also scored 15 runs from five balls to help New Zealand defeat India during the group stage.

New Zealand had set a target of 191. India were 76 for 1 when Vettori came into the attack and dismissed Robin Uthappa and current India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had scored 51 from 33 balls.

Spin bowling then tightened New Zealand’s control. Jeetan Patel dismissed Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni was run out for 24, and Vettori returned later to remove Irfan Pathan and Dinesh Karthik.

Earlier, Brendon McCullum scored 45 at the top of the order, while Craig McMillan and Jacob Oram added runs towards the end to take New Zealand to a total that India could not chase.

T20 World Cup 2016: New Zealand won by 47 runs in Nagpur


The two teams met again in the 2016 edition in Nagpur. New Zealand defended a total of 126 by bowling India out for 79, with three spinners taking nine wickets between them.

Corey Anderson scored 34 from 42 balls for New Zealand, while Luke Ronchi added 21 not out from 11 balls after coming in at number eight.

India struggled against spin bowling, with Virat Kohli scoring 23 and MS Dhoni making 30. When Ish Sodhi dismissed Kohli at 39 for 5 in the ninth over, India were already under pressure.

Dhoni was dismissed in the 18th over and Adam Milne then took the final wicket by removing Ashish Nehra three balls later.

Nathan McCullum finished with 2 for 15, Sodhi took 3 for 18 and Mitchell Santner returned figures of 4 for 11 along with scoring 18 runs. Milne was the only fast bowler to take a wicket in the match.

T20 World Cup 2021: New Zealand won by 8 wickets in Dubai


India and New Zealand met again in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. India scored 110 for 7, which New Zealand chased comfortably.

Trent Boult took a wicket in the powerplay and later picked up two more in the 19th over. Ish Sodhi returned figures of 2 for 17, Tim Southee took 1 for 26 and Adam Milne finished with 1 for 30.

Mitchell Santner did not take a wicket but bowled an economical spell of 0 for 15, including 11 dot balls.

In reply, Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell started the chase well. Mitchell scored 49 from 35 balls before being dismissed with New Zealand needing 15 runs. Captain Kane Williamson then finished the chase to seal the win.

India vs New Zealand head-to-head in T20 World Cups


Played: 3

New Zealand: 3

India: 0

India and New Zealand will now meet again in the final of the T20 World Cup on Sunday, March 8, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The two teams had also reached the final of the Champions Trophy in 2025, and nearly a year later they will again face each other in the final of an ICC tournament.

India will face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, with Suryakumar Yadav's side aiming to create history by defending their title.

India reached the summit clash after beating England in the semifinal and became the third team after Pakistan and Sri Lanka to make back-to-back T20 World Cup finals.

However, New Zealand remain a tough opponent and have never lost to India in their previous T20 World Cup meetings.

With such a big match ahead, fans are also curious about what happens if weather or other situations affect the final.

According to ICC rules, the organisers will first try to complete the match on the scheduled day, even if the game has to be shortened due to rain.

If the match cannot be completed that day, a reserve day is in place.

The game will continue from the same point where it stopped rather than starting again.

However, if rain prevents any result even after the reserve day, both teams will be declared joint winners of the tournament.

Another possibility is the match ending in a tie.

In that case, the winner will be decided through a Super Over, where both teams get one extra over to bat and bowl.

If the Super Over also ends in a tie, another one will be played.

This rule was introduced after the controversial finish of the 2019 ODI World Cup final. Earlier, only one Super Over was played and if it was tied, the team that hit more boundaries won. Now, Super Overs will continue until a clear winner emerges.

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav has backed India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and expressed full confidence in him ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand national cricket team on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Chakravarthy has endured a difficult run since the Super 8 stage, claiming four wickets in four matches at an economy rate above 11. His outing in the semi-final against England national cricket team proved particularly challenging, as he conceded 64 runs in four overs — his most expensive spell in T20 Internationals and the costliest figures by an Indian bowler in a World Cup match.

Despite the setback, Suryakumar stood firmly behind the spinner, highlighting the importance of collective effort and expressing faith in Chakravarthy’s ability to bounce back. The Indian captain addressed reporters in Ahmedabad on Saturday, on the eve of India’s title defence against New Zealand.

"We won the match. It's a team sport, everyone puts in the effort, that's why you win the match. If we win the match, we don't think much about anyone. There are 11 people in the team. Out of the 11 people, not everyone's day will be good. Someone's day can go up and down. The rest of the people are there to cover it. But I'm not worried about him at all. He's the world's number one bowler and knows how to come forward in a match and win the match for the team, and I know he'll definitely do that," he said.

While his recent performances have drawn attention, Chakravarthy’s overall numbers in the tournament remain impressive. He is the joint highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets in eight matches at an average of 19.07, including a standout spell of 3/7 against Namibia national cricket team during the group stage.

Suryakumar also stressed the importance of experience within the squad, pointing to the influence of head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, all of whom have significant experience in major ICC tournaments.

"The benefit is huge. Because there are a lot of players in this team who have played in a lot of ICC events. Right from our coach. So their experience is also important. And there are a lot of players, like Bumrah, Hardik, Axar, there are a lot of players who have played in ICC events, in pressure situations. So I think it will be a lot of help to have conversations with them. And according to me, experience matters a lot going into such a lovely occasion. I think it will matter the most," he added.

India and New Zealand have taken contrasting routes to the final, both entering the title clash after strong batting performances in the semi-finals. New Zealand had earlier suffered defeats to South Africa national cricket team in the group stage and England in the Super Eights but produced a dominant display in the knockout round.

After restricting South Africa to 169/8, the Black Caps chased down the target in just 12.5 overs, powered by a sensational 33-ball century from Finn Allen — the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history.

India, meanwhile, were unbeaten in the group stage, with their only setback coming against South Africa in their opening Super Eight match. The semi-final against England turned into a run-fest, with India posting 253/7 before England fell just seven runs short.

Historically, New Zealand hold the edge in T20 World Cup meetings between the two sides, having beaten India in 2007, 2016 and 2021. However, recent form favours the hosts, who secured a convincing 4–1 series win over New Zealand in their most recent T20I series in India.

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir's wife Natasha Jain has arrived in the city with daughters, Aazeen and Aaniza, ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The title clash will be very important for Gambhir, as it is his first ICC T20 World Cup final as a head coach, and the former Indian opener would look to join the list of Rahul Dravid and Lalchand Rajput, who have won the T20 World Cup title as a coach.

Gambhir played an important role in the 2007 World Cup as he scored 75 runs off just 54 balls in the final, which helped India clinch the title by just 5 runs. He is again playing the final in a different role, but the goal remains the same: to win the trophy for the country.

Earlier, former India captain MS Dhoni also arrived in the city for the summit clash. A large crowd gathered around the airport to welcome the champion captain. Apart from that, many sportspeople and celebrities are expected to attend the final.

India have never beaten New Zealand in T20 World Cups, and they would look to end their quest with a win. This is the third ICC final in three different formats over the last six years between India and New Zealand -- 2021 World Test Championship, 2025 Champions Trophy (ODI), and 2026 T20 World Cup. New Zealand have a 2-1 record over India in the ICC tournament finals; they won the Champions Trophy 2000 and World Test Championships Final 2021 before losing the Champions Trophy last year.

India have made it to the final for the fourth time in T20 World Cups, the most for any team. They have won in two out of the three appearances.

While New Zealand have never won a T20 World Cup trophy, they will look to produce another collective performance when they face India in the final, hoping to overturn the odds and clinch the title for the first time.

For the first half of the T20 World Cup, Varun Chakravarthy looked like India's biggest weapon with the ball. He was hitting the right notes, batters were struggling to read him and the wickets followed. But as the tournament has progressed, the mystery spinner's control has slipped. With his lengths going astray and runs flowing freely, his dip in form is an alarming sign for India ahead of the final against New Zealand, to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

That concern grew after what happened in the semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium. The red soil pitch should ideally have suited the spinner, instead he went for plenty. His bowling figures read 4-0-64-1. Varun struggled to find the right length and it appeared that his confidence had also taken a beating, which is an area of concern for captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir.


With 13 wickets to his name, Varun is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker of the 2026 T20 World Cup. In the first four matches, he picked up nine wickets with an impressive economy rate of 5.17. In the last four games, he has leaked runs at an economy rate of 11.63 while picking up just four wickets.

Overall, Varun has been hard to go after when he has pitched the ball in the good length area while trying to attack the stumps. In 118 balls where he has hit that good length, he has conceded only 128 runs at an economy rate of 6.50 and also picked up 10 wickets.

Whenever he has gone full or bowled short, basically when he has erred in hitting that 5 to 6 metre length, he has bowled bled runs. In the 27 balls where he has attempted to bowl full, he has conceded 66 runs at an economy rate of 14.66. The short of good length area has cost him 50 runs off 22 balls at 13.63.

The good phase

Now let us divide Varun's numbers into two phases, pre-South Africa and post.

Before India's first Super Eight match against South Africa, Varun was a batter's nightmare. He bowled 51 balls in that good length area and conceded only 37 runs and picked up seven wickets. Even the fuller and shorter lengths did not cost him much, and his economy rates read 7 and 5.25, respectively.

After the Namibia match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he picked up 3 for 7 in two overs, Varun had spoken about his new variations and the ones he was working on.

"I have worked on my overspin rather than sidespin and more speed and zip off the wicket," he told reporters in the ICC mixed zone.

"I have been working on a few things, but that has been my process all along. I have always had some deliveries coming up, so I will always have something coming up. But it is up to me. It is actually about whether I am courageous enough to try it in the next match, but it depends.

"There are a few balls that just clicked for me in the matches and there have been a few variations which I have been trying for the last six years that did not come out earlier. So it just depends on the complexity of the delivery," he added.

It is also worth noting that in the group stage India had played three Associate teams - USA, Namibia and the Netherlands. The match against Pakistan, in Colombo, was played on a two paced surface.

Two evenings before the Super-8 match against South Africa in Ahmedabad a fortnight ago, Jasprit Bumrah opted to bowl in an empty net, with two boots placed on either side of the batting crease. He kept hurling yorkers for a good 45 minutes. It was a drill he had started in Dharamshala during the T20I series against South Africa last December.

Mohammed Siraj arrived at the practice area to bat in the adjacent nets, walked up to Bumrah and said, “ Aapko kya zarurat hain yorker practice karne ka? Aap toh beech raat ko neend se uthke bhi yorker maar sakte ho (Why do you need to practice bowling yorkers? You can get up from sleep in the middle of the night and land those yorkers)!” Bumrah smiled, nailed another perfect yorker which displaced one of the boots, and said, “ Bahut zarurat hain bhai (it’s very important).”

At 32, after multiple injuries and many match-winning performances across formats for over a decade, Bumrah still puts himself through drills that a 16-year-old would do at academy level. It just speaks of his constant hunger to be the best and remain at the top.

Bumrah has been bowling up to the stumps and the boots in the nets throughout this World Cup campaign. One of his yorkers even landed on the left toe of Ishan Kishan ahead of the match against Namibia last month in Delhi.


On Thursday night, in a tense semifinal against England in Mumbai, every yorker sent down by Bumrah was on point, helping to choke England’s chase.
Finding another gear in tense situations, on the biggest stage, is nothing new for Bumrah. His spell of 2/20 in the last T20 World Cup final against South Africa was T20 bowling perfection. In this edition, he has shown he can improve on it.

Thursday’s spell of 1/33 in a match that saw a match aggregate of 499 runs, and that too with a lot of dew present at the Wankhede Stadium, was the performance of a bowler in supreme control of his craft. That captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bowl Bumrah out in the 18th over, when Jacob Bethell was on a rampage, proved he is still the No. 1 option when the Indian team is under pressure.

Former England fast bowlers Stuart Broad and Steven Finn have heaped praise on India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, describing him as the “greatest pacer ever” after his match-winning display against England national cricket team in the semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Bumrah played a decisive role in India’s victory, delivering a brilliant 18th over in which he conceded just six runs, effectively halting England’s charge during a daunting chase. His outstanding spell helped India national cricket team reach the final for the second successive edition of the T20 World Cup. In a high-scoring contest where both teams scored at close to 12.5 runs per over, Bumrah conceded only 33 runs from his four overs and dismissed England captain Harry Brook with his very first delivery.

Finn, who represented England between 2010 and 2016, was full of admiration for Bumrah’s abilities and hailed him as the greatest bowler of all time.

“Everyone else is mortal. There are good bowlers, there are great bowlers, but then there is Jasprit Bumrah, who sits above all of them at the moment. And I include people like (Pat) Cummins, (Mitchell) Starc. I think he’s just on another planet when compared to any other bowler,” Finn said in a conversation with Broad.

Broad, the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket, shared a similar view while reflecting on Bumrah’s impact.

"You could put a really strong argument that he is the greatest quick bowler ever. Malcolm Marshall, Richard Hadley, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath – all these guys. It’s difficult to make comparisons because we didn’t see Malcolm Marshall in a T20 World Cup semifinal, where the ball is flying to all parts. He is certainly the best I’ve ever seen, that is for sure,” said Broad.

Bumrah’s performances in the ongoing tournament underline his impact. With 10 wickets, he is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the competition. Despite operating on flat Indian pitches, his economy rate of 6.62 is the second-best among bowlers who have delivered more than 12 overs. Alongside Arshdeep Singh, he also shares the record as India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history.

As India prepare to face New Zealand national cricket team in the final in Ahmedabad, Bumrah’s form and experience could prove crucial as the team chase a record third T20 World Cup title.

The Indian pace spearhead also reached a major personal milestone during the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium, becoming only the eighth Indian bowler to claim 500 international wickets. He joined an elite list that includes Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Kapil Dev, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, and Javagal Srinath.

As cricket fans started thronging the Narendra Modi Stadium here for the India–New Zealand T20 World Cup final on Sunday, an elaborate security blanket covered the venue to ensure the high-stakes clash unfolded safely.

For the first time during the match, holding areas have been created near Gates 1 and 2 as a precautionary measure to avoid any risk of a stampede, officials said.

The Ahmedabad police have already arrested two persons for allegedly black-marketing tickets for the match.

Defending champions India will take on New Zealand at the world's largest cricket stadium at Motera here in the high-stakes final of the T20 World Cup on Sunday evening. The Men In Blue aim to defend the T20 World Cup title and lift the trophy for a third time.


"As part of bandobast, around 3,000 police personnel and around 1,000 home guards have been deployed. This time, we have created holding areas at gate nos. 1 and 2 near the main road to prevent any possibility of a stampede. We are implementing this for the first time during the match," Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said.

The police are also using three anti-drone systems and eight bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) teams have been deployed as part of the comprehensive security at the stadium, Malik said.

He appealed to spectators to use public transport to ease congestion around the stadium.

Malik said that transport services would run late into the night to help fans return home after the match.

Special arrangements have also been made to ensure the safety and convenience of women spectators.

To prevent spectators from entering the playing area during the match, special arrangements have also been put in place inside the stadium.


Several senior officers, including a joint commissioner of police and 12 deputy commissioners of police, will remain present as part of the security arrangements at the venue, Malik said.

New Zealand national cricket team all-rounder Glenn Phillips said on Friday that his side will be ready to seize the opportunity if India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has an off day in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Defending champions India national cricket team will face New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday in what promises to be a blockbuster final, after the hosts edged past England national cricket team in a thrilling second semi-final.

England stayed in the hunt during their record chase of 254 thanks to a brilliant 105 from Jacob Bethell, before Bumrah delivered a near-perfect 18th over.

A series of precise yorkers and well-directed length deliveries conceded just six runs, leaving England with too much to do in the closing stages.

New Zealand, who thrashed South Africa national cricket team in the first semi-final, are chasing their maiden title in what is their second appearance in a T20 World Cup final. Phillips said the team are prepared to face Bumrah’s challenge.

"He's human as well," Phillips told reporters. "He is allowed to have a bad day, as are the rest of us. So hopefully we have a good day against him."

Bumrah’s accuracy and his ability to deliver pinpoint yorkers have troubled opposition teams throughout the tournament. Against England, he finished with figures of 1/33 from four overs in a match where a staggering 499 runs were scored in 40 overs.

However, the Indian pacer did not enjoy the same level of success against New Zealand in a five-match T20I series earlier this year.

Although India won the series 4-1, Bumrah — who featured in four of those matches — managed only four wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of 9.46.

Phillips acknowledged Bumrah’s quality but emphasised that each bowler requires a different approach.

"Obviously we had a really good trip against him in the bilateral series as well but he's a class bowler," said Phillips.

"He's got so many variations. He hits the block hole at the death incredibly well."

'Adapt'

Phillips also dismissed the idea that New Zealand might simply look to play out Bumrah’s four overs and attack the rest of the Indian bowling attack.

"It's not necessarily going to be that, per se," he said.

"As I said, a bowler is allowed to miss, and if he happens to miss, we do have to put it away."

"That also means that if he does bowl, well, we have to accommodate for other things and adapt."

Perennial underdogs New Zealand squeezed into the semi-finals on net run rate but raised their game dramatically in the last four. A stunning 33-ball century from Finn Allen dismantled South Africa’s hopes.

Chasing 169/8, the Black Caps completed the target in just 12.5 overs to secure a remarkable nine-wicket victory and keep alive their hopes of winning a first World Cup title in either white-ball format.

Mitchell Santner’s side will face a packed house of more than 100,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, along with millions more watching on television across India.

However, Phillips insisted the atmosphere would not intimidate the team.

"For us, we just go out there and enjoy it," said Phillips.

"We have a great time as a group of guys, we go out there and do our best for our country and yes, obviously a packed crowd is fantastic.

"We play to entertain the people and whether they're supporting us or whether they're supporting India, it's fantastic for cricket in general."