T20 World Cup final: Favourites India look to bury ghosts of Nov 19 in Ahmedabad
India Today
T20 World Cup Final, IND vs NZ Preview: India take on New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup. The hosts are set to play the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium once again, a venue where they lost the ODI World Cup 2023 final. Will Suryakumar Yadav's India be able to bury the ghosts of the past?
India captain Suryakumar Yadav has an interesting history with Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Back in 2021, Suryakumar made his much-anticipated T20I debut for the country, announcing himself with a first-ball six against Jofra Archer. Many believed at that point that Suryakumar's India debut had been delayed by at least two years, and that the batter had a lot to give to the country in that format. They were right.
Ahmedabad is also the stadium that buried Suryakumar Yadav's ODI career after a horrific performance in the ODI World Cup final in 2023, where Surya failed to provide the impetus to the Indian innings when the team desperately needed it.
The Mumbaikar returns to the same venue once again, this time as the India captain, hoping to bury the ghosts of the past, as the hosts take on New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav has had a mixed relationship with Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (AFP Photo)
India meet New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad at 7 pm IST. The match will be televised on Star Sports and streamed live on JioHotstar in India.
Unlike 2023, India do not come into the summit clash with a perfect record. There have been hiccups aplenty. The No.1 T20I batter and the No.1 T20I bowler in the world are woefully out of form and are 'this' close to getting benched from the team. India have struggled and stuttered through multiple phases of the tournament but have found their way to the top, where they face Mitchell Santner's team on Sunday, 8 March.
India come into the final after beating England in a nervy, high-scoring thriller, where they won by just 7 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson put up superlative performances as India just about defended the total of 253 runs.
Rohit Sharma believes India's recent success in ICC tournaments could be the start of a strong phase for the national teams. The India captain praised both men's and women's teams and hopes the winning run continues.
Suryakumar Yadav revealed how a phone call and a little faith helped Ishan Kishan stage a sensational comeback, earning him a spot in India's Men's T20 World Cup squad. Kishan capitalised on the opportunity, scoring 317 runs in nine matches.
Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav married his childhood friend, Vanshika Singh, on March 14 in a grand ceremony held in Mussoorie. The celebrations were even more special for Kuldeep, coming shortly after India's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph.
AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan says the federation replaced the Indian women's team's ill-fitting AFC Women's Asian Cup kits within seven hours, but the effort went unrecognised.
Pakistan national selector Aaqib Javed believes that the country and the country's cricket board need to move on from scapegoating culture to move forward in international cricket.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi, Abhishek Sharma revealed how his father and family helped him overcome a difficult T20 World Cup campaign, during which he battled poor form before scoring a match-winning 18-ball fifty in the final against New Zealand.
Kevin Pietersen has stepped down as Delhi Capitals mentor ahead of IPL 2026, saying he could not commit the time required, though he confirmed he will return to the commentary box during the tournament.
The PCB has denied reports that Pakistan players were fined PKR 5 million each for their T20 World Cup exit, with spokesperson Amir Mir clarifying that no penalties have been imposed, though the board is considering a performance-based accountability formula.
Salman Ali Agha has been given a reprimand and a demerit point following his outburst after the controversial run out during the second ODI against Bangladesh on Friday, March 13.
On this day on March 14, 2001, India overcame a massive first-innings deficit to script a remarkable 171-run victory against Australia in the 2001 Kolkata Test, powered by the record-breaking partnership of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and a dominant display by Harbhajan Singh on the final day.
Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny and Mithali Raj headline the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 in New Delhi, as Indian cricket celebrates its legends and a historic run of ICC trophy wins.
Irfan Pathan believes IPL 2026 is the right time for MS Dhoni to hand over responsibilities to CSK's next generation, with Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad and others ready to step up.