India can create T20 World Cup history when they face New Zealand in Sunday’s final, live on Sky Sports, with pressure on the hosts as they target more global success.
The defending champions aim to become the first side to successfully defend the T20 World Cup and the tournament’s first three-time winners, two years on from beating South Africa in the 2024 final. India bounced back from their record T20 World Cup loss to South Africa on February 22 to win their remaining Super 8s matches and reach the semi-finals, where they claimed a narrow victory over England in a high-scoring contest.
A crowd of over 100,000 is expected at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to watch India’s bid for back-to-back world titles, while New Zealand look to silence the home crowd and lift the trophy for the first time.
“I mean I guess that means only one team can fail, doesn’t it?” New Zealand’s Glen Phillips said, referencing the home support. “For us we just go out there and enjoy it.”
India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged the nerves but welcomed the occasion. “There are nerves, butterflies in the stomach but, as I always say, if there’s no pressure, there’s no fun,” he told reporters. “I’m very excited. All the boys and support staff, and I’m sure all of India is excited for tomorrow.”
Don’t underestimate New Zealand
India are favourites and won a five-match T20I series 4-1 in January, but former England captain Nasser Hussain warned New Zealand should not be underestimated. “What New Zealand will love is everyone talking about India and whether they can become the first men’s side to defend the title,” Hussain told Sky Sports. “India are obviously favourites – they are the No 1 side, and they are at home. All the focus will be on India. New Zealand will do what they always do – rock up and play their best cricket. India are definitely the favourites, but do not write off New Zealand in any format.”
Opener Finn Allen said the pre-tournament series gave New Zealand valuable insight. “We know what the opposition are going to do, they’re an incredible side, but playing them five times before a World Cup, you get a look at them,” Allen told Sky Sports. “We take a lot out of those games, knowing we can perform against them and we can beat them. We might be underdogs but I think we like that. The atmosphere is going to be incredible – a game you remember for your entire life – and I’m extremely excited. We’re all up for it.”
‘Redemption’ for India in ‘mouth-watering’ final?
India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph came a year after their run to the 2023 50-over World Cup final on home soil, where they lost to Australia. “It’s redemption time [for India] in a way,” former India international Dinesh Karthik told Sky Sports. “That 2023 campaign was amazing. They were flawless all the way to the final that day and then had one bad day.”
Sunday’s final is at the same venue as that 2023 defeat. Karthik expects a high-scoring match and another strong showing from New Zealand. “It’s a beautiful pitch to bat on,” he said. “So far it’s been one of the highest-scoring venues and I don’t see any reason it won’t be a high-scoring encounter. It’s a great story of a team coming in as the defending champions and then the underdog. New Zealand are constantly a team where you think they could [win], but you never put them in the top three or top four teams, but every time in a multi-nation tournament they have made a mark and they punch above their weight.”
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner accepted they are likely not favourites but backed his side’s chance. “It’s going to be a challenge. Everyone knows we’re probably not the favourites,” he said. “But we don’t mind. We know we can. If we do our little things well and put in a strong team performance, it would put us in a pretty good position. I wouldn’t mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once.”
How to watch Sunday’s final
Sky Customers: Watch India v New Zealand live on Sunday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket and 1pm on Sky Sports Main Event (1.30pm first ball).
Sky Sports App: Sky customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app (iPhone, iPad, Android).
Non Sky customers: Stream the final with a NOW Day or Month pass.