March 08, New Delhi — India and New Zealand will face off in the T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad today. The Indian team will step onto the field in Ahmedabad with the opportunity to achieve several milestones.
Until now, no team has been able to successfully defend its T20 World Cup title. If the defending champions, India, win the final, it will be the first time in history that a team wins the T20 World Cup in consecutive editions. Moreover, no team has ever won the T20 World Cup on home soil.
However, standing in their way is New Zealand, who are eyeing their first-ever T20 World Championship title and are a side that India has never defeated in a T20 World Cup.
India and New Zealand have faced each other 30 times in T20 cricket. India have won 16 matches, while New Zealand have won 11. Three matches were tied, in which India emerged victorious in two through the Super Over. In the T20 World Cup, the two teams have met three times, and on all three occasions, New Zealand have come out on top.
In this tournament, India have only lost one match, against South Africa. In the semi-final, India defeated England by 7 runs in a thrilling contest.
New Zealand, on the other hand, suffered defeats against South Africa in the group stage and against England in the Super 8 stage. However, they stormed into the final by crushing South Africa in a one-sided semi-final.
The final will be played on the central pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where a high-scoring contest is expected. The surface, made from a mix of red and black soil, is likely to offer bounce and could make the role of fast bowlers crucial.
For India, Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah are the players to watch out for. Samson has piled up runs in the last two matches and is in excellent form. Meanwhile, Bumrah remains lethal on any ground and any pitch in the world.
For New Zealand, Finn Allen has the highest strike rate in the tournament and has also smashed the most sixes, making him a dangerous prospect. Rachin Ravindra has been in the spotlight for his all-round performance. With 128 runs and 11 wickets, he has emerged as a major impact player in the tournament.
India have played a total of 10 T20 matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, winning seven and losing three.
New Zealand have played two T20 matches at this venue and have lost both.
In the current World Cup, India have played two matches here, beating the Netherlands while losing to South Africa.