08 March,2026 09:59 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Abhishek Sharma (Pic: X/@BCCI)
In the T20 World Cup 2026 final match against New Zealand, Team India has reached a total of 127 runs in 10 overs for the loss of one wicket at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has scored an unbeaten 48 runs off 30 balls, with the help of four boundaries and three maximums. Shouldering him is Ishan Kishan, who has scored 19 runs in nine balls, including three boundaries.
Swashbuckling opening batsman Abhishek Sharma departed after smashing a 21-ball 52 runs. His knock was laced with six boundaries and three maximums.
So far, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner has used seven bowlers, including himself. Rachin Ravindra has managed to pick up one wicket for 12 runs in one over. Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham, and Santner have not tasted success in picking up wickets.
Team India's burly all-rounder Shivam Dube is all set to achieve the feat of reaching the feat of 1000 runs in the shortest format of the game. He is falling short of just 35 runs from completing 1000 runs in the shortest format of the game. So far, having played 63 T20I matches, Dube has amassed 965 runs, including six half-centuries.
Earlier, having won the toss, New Zealand's skipper Mitchell Santner elected to bowl first against the "Men in Blue".
The "Black Caps" will enter the clash with one change, where Cole McConchie will make way for Jacob Duffy.
After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Santner said, "We will bowl first because we expected some movement early and want to limit their strong top order to a chaseable total, and the boys are buzzing for a night like this because these moments are why we play the game. Reaching the semifinals has given the group real confidence and playing in front of such a massive crowd is something we are excited for as it is a great challenge. Every team aims to peak at the right moment and we feel we are doing that on the biggest stage now. We have one change with Cole McConchie missing out and Jacob Duffy coming in. The surface looks good and we are looking forward to getting stuck in".
On the other hand, Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said, "We are happy to bat first because it has worked for us and this wicket is similar to the red soil track from the last match so we are comfortable starting with the bat. In big games like semifinals or finals it always feels better to have runs on the board especially when our bowlers are performing so well. Being defending champions is a nice feeling but that is history now and this is a new World Cup even if it is the same venue from two thousand and twenty three. The crowd looks almost full even before the match has begun which is incredible and gives us great energy. We are sticking with the same team tonight".
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Darly Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.
