History, of different kinds, awaits as defending champions India chase third T20 World Cup crown, while Mitchell Santner’s admirable Black Caps seek their maiden white-ball World Cup
India captain Suryakumar Yadav has his eyes set on the T20 World Cup on Saturday. PIC/AFP
History, of different kinds, awaits India and New Zealand on Sunday. In the blue corner are Suryakumar Yadav’s men, seeking to become the first side to win the T20 World Cup thrice, the first outfit to triumph on home soil and the first nation to successfully defend the flagship event of the 20-over format.
Occupying the red — or is it the black? — corner are Mitchell Santner’s admirable Black Caps, the perennial nice guys aiming for their first World Cup trophy of any ilk. The Kiwis have clinched the Champions Trophy (when it was called the ICC KnockOut Trophy) in 2000 and the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, but a white-ball World Cup triumph has remained steadfastly elusive despite three appearances in the title round (one of them in the T20 version in 2021).
Big-hitting opener Finn Allen during NZ’s practice session in Ahmedabad on Saturday. PIC/GETTY IMAGES
Interestingly, both of New Zealand’s ICC titles have been the consequence of victories over India in the final. Santner’s lads, on a grand campaign which culminated in a nine-wicket drubbing of unbeaten South Africa in Wednesday’s semi-final, will be aiming for a hat-trick while being aware that less than 1% of a projected full house on Sunday at the gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium will be rooting for them.
It’s hard not to be enchanted by New Zealand, all business and no fuss, extremely competitive but forever on their best behaviour. In this World Cup, they have been a veritable powerhouse well served by their crack opening combination of Finn Allen, who made a 33-ball century in the semis, and Tim Seifert. The two have added 463 runs, the most by an opening pair in a single T20 World Cup. For India to make early statements on what is expected to be another batting beauty, they must use the new ball judiciously and make inroads in the Powerplay.
India’s march hasn’t been as intimidating as at the 50-over World Cup in 2023, where they lost to Australia at this very venue in the final, or its T20 counterpart the following year. But the defending champions have won the moments that matter, including the closing stages of the semi-final when, powered by Jacob Bethell, England seemed on course to make 253 appear inadequate.
The World’s No. 1 T20I batter and bowler respectively, Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy, have been way below their best. Is a return to their marauding best on the biggest nights of their careers on the cards?
India’s road to the final
>> vs USA: Won by 29 runs
>> vs Namibia: Won by 93 runs
>> vs Pakistan: Won by 61 runs
>> vs Netherlands: Won by 17 runs
>> vs SA: Lost by 76 runs
>> vs Zimbabwe: Won by 72 runs
>> vs WI: Won by five wickets
>> vs England: Won by seven runs
15
Total number of ICC final appearances for India — the most by any team, surpassing Australia (14)
0
No of T20 World Cup matches India have won vs NZ in three meetings till date; the Black Caps have won all three
2
No of ICC finals won by NZ — both against India (2000 Champions Trophy and 2021 World Test Championship)
4
No of times India have entered T20 World Cup finals — the most by any team
2
No of defeats for India in the last four ICC white-ball tournaments; both have come in Ahmedabad. India have won 30 of their last 32 matches
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
