An Indian side that appears to have every base covered will square off against a confident New Zealand outfit in the grand final of the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad today. The finalists arrived here through contrasting semi-finals; India scraping through a high-octane contest against England in Bombay, while New Zealand blew South Africa away in a one-sided affair in Calcutta.
India had a rude awakening earlier in the Super Eight stage when South Africa handed them a comprehensive defeat. Since that setback, however, they have gathered momentum winning three must-win games on the trot. New Zealand, meanwhile, stumbled against England and South Africa but managed to stay afloat, aided in part by below-par campaigns from Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the second round.
- Four Tests a year leaves Sri Lanka on a sticky wicket
- Future of Sri Lankan cricket in safe hands, says Mathews
India’s batting line-up is the stuff of bowlers’ nightmares, capable of clearing the ropes at will. Add Jasprit Bumrah to the mix and the defending champions start with a head start. The world’s premier fast bowler gives away nothing cheap and his miserly four-over spell often tilts the balance India’s way.
Fielding too has been India’s trump card. Axar Patel’s two spectacular catches in the semi-final turned the tide against England, while the likes of Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma patrol the outfield like hawks, cutting off boundaries and creating chances out of thin air.
India also boast the world’s top-ranked batter and bowler and even though Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy have had quiet tournaments, such is the depth in this line-up that others have stepped up when the chips were down. Replacement player Sanju Samson, drafted in midway through the tournament, has repaid the faith with match-winning knocks under pressure.
New Zealand owe their semi-final triumph largely to opener Finn Allen, whose whirlwind 33-ball half-century blew South Africa out of the water as the Black Caps chased down the target inside 13 overs. It was an innings that sent the Proteas packing and served notice that the Kiwis possess enough firepower to spring a surprise.
Their hopes, however, will hinge heavily on the new-ball spell of Matt Henry. The seamer has a knack for striking early and if he can make inroads at the top, India’s star-studded batting could find itself under the pump, though the co=hosts bat deep with Axar Patel slotted in at number eight.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, with its staggering capacity of 132,000, is expected to be packed to the rafters as fans from across India descend on the world’s largest cricket arena for the showpiece clash. The mood is reminiscent of the 2023 final when India were widely tipped to lift the trophy, only for Australia to spoil the party.
Hotel prices in Ahmedabad have soared through the roof, with nearby towns such as Gandhinagar and Sanand offering cheaper alternatives. With flights pouring in from across the country, many fans are expected to fly in on match day and head back the same night after the spectacle.
All the ingredients are in place for a cracking contest on Sunday. Whether India can defend their crown and complete a hat-trick of titles, or whether New Zealand will finally break their World Cup hoodoo, remains to be seen.
