India arrive at the ICC T20 World Cup final as the world’s top-ranked T20 side with history in their sights, looking to become the first team to retain the title. Over 100,000 fans will pack the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, willing Suryakumar Yadav’s men home.
But New Zealand will not read the script. Their nine-wicket demolition of previously unbeaten South Africa in the semi-finals was a statement of intent, and Finn Allen’s record-breaking hundred showed exactly what this side is capable of on the big occasion.
India have finals pedigree but painful memories at this venue. New Zealand have the hunger of a team that has never won a global white-ball title. On Sunday, one of them gets what they came for.
IND vs NZ, T20 WORLD CUP FINAL: AHMEDABAD WEATHER FORECAST
Clear skies and no rain will greet players at Narendra Modi Stadium for tonight’s ICC T20 World Cup Final, though the heat will be a major talking point. As per Accuweather, Ahmedabad is forecast to hit 39 degrees at 6 PM, with temperatures gradually cooling to the high 20s past midnight. Wind gusts of up to 20 km/h could influence conditions during the powerplay.
The extreme heat in Ahmedabad on Saturday means dew is likely to be a significant factor as the evening progresses, and that could make this a toss final. Chasing sides typically benefit when dew makes it harder for bowlers to grip the ball in the second innings.
Interestingly, Suryakumar Yadav had indicated in Mumbai that India would have preferred to bat first, but dew changed the equation entirely on Sunday. Whoever wins the toss may well opt to bowl, leaving the opposition to deal with the difficult conditions up front. It would be a shame if such a marquee final is ultimately decided before a ball is bowled.
IND vs NZ, T20 WORLD CUP FINAL: LIVESTREAMING, TELECAST DETAILS
India meets 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.
IND vs NZ, T20 WORLD CUP FINAL: SQUAD DETAILS
New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert(WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(C), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(WK), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav
IND vs NZ, T20 WORLD CUP FINAL: PREDICTED XI
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakravarthy/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.
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