India could make T20 World Cup history when they take on New Zealand in Sunday’s final, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, putting pressure on the hosts as they look for further success on the world stage.
The defending champions are aiming to become the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title, and the first team to win the tournament three times, two years after defeating South Africa in the 2024 final.
India bounced back from their record T20 World Cup defeat against South Africa on February 22 and won their remaining two Super 8 matches to reach the semi-finals, narrowly defeating England in a high-scoring contest.
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Highlights of the T20 World Cup semi-final held in Mumbai. There, Jacob Bethell’s brilliant hundred against India was not enough to lead England to victory.
More than 100,000 people are expected to be at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to watch India’s bid for back-to-back titles, while New Zealand are looking to silence their home crowd as they attempt to lift the trophy for the first time.
“So only one team can fail, right?” said New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips, referring to domestic support. “For us, it’s just about going out and having fun.
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As the final draws near, we take a look at some of the star players from India and New Zealand who could disrupt the 2026 T20 World Cup final.
“We’re having a great time as a group. We’re giving our all for our country, but obviously a packed crowd is great. We’re playing to entertain people and it’s great for cricket in general, whether they’re supporting us or supporting India.”
Is Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav feeling the pressure?
“There are nerves in my stomach and I’m confused, but as I always say, without pressure, there’s no fun,” Suryakumar told reporters.
“I’m very excited. I think the players, the support staff and all of India are excited for tomorrow.”
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Axar Patel was involved in two sensational catches during India’s narrow win over England in the T20 World Cup semi-finals, but which one was better?
“Don’t underestimate New Zealand”
India are favorites to win the title and won 4-1 when the two sides met in a five-match T20I series in January, but former England captain Nasser Hussain believes New Zealand are a team that cannot be underestimated.
“What New Zealand will be happy about is everyone talking about India and seeing if India can become the first men’s team to defend the title,” Hussain told Sky Sports. “India are the clear favorites, they are the number one team and they are at home.
“All eyes will be on India. New Zealand will do what they always do. They will be fired up and play their best cricket. India are the clear favourites, but don’t discount New Zealand in any format.”
New Zealand opener Finn Allen believes the pre-tournament series will help the team and insists his teammates are enjoying the “underdog” tag.
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New Zealand opener Finn Allen said New Zealand had learned a lot from their pre-tournament five-match series against India as the two countries meet again in the T20 World Cup final.
Allen told Sky Sports: “We know what they’re going to do. They’re an unbelievable team, but when you play them five times before the World Cup you’ll know how they’re doing.”
“We take a lot out of those games. We know we can perform against them and beat them. We may be the underdogs, but I think we like it. The atmosphere is going to be incredible. It’s going to be a game you’ll remember for a lifetime. And I’m very excited. We’re all going for it.”
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New Zealand’s Finn Allen wins semi-final and becomes fastest to complete 100m at the Men’s T20 World Cup
‘Atonement’ for India in ‘mouth-watering’ final?
India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory came a year after they failed to complete 50 overs in the World Cup on home soil. India won all nine group matches, defeated New Zealand in the semi-finals, but lost to Australia in the final.
Former India international Dinesh Karthik told Sky Sports: “In a sense, it’s time for redemption (for India).” “The 2023 season was great. They were perfect until the final that day, and then they had one bad day.”
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Highlights from the 2023 World Cup final as Australia defeated hosts India by six wickets to win their sixth trophy
Sunday’s final will be played at the same venue where they lost by six wickets to Australia in 2023, and Karthik will be hoping for a high-scoring battle and New Zealand producing another strong performance.
“It (Ahmedabad) is a beautiful pitch to bat on,” Kartik added. “So far this venue has been one of the highest scoring venues and I see no reason why it won’t be a high scoring game. It’s a great story of a team coming in as defending champions and as underdogs.”
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Full highlights from the semi-final opener, when Finn Allen hit the fastest 100 hits in the history of the tournament, helping New Zealand annihilate South Africa.
“New Zealand are a team you always expect to beat, but they’ve never been in the top three or top four, but they’ve performed well in every multi-nation tournament and punched above their weight.
“They’re doing a great job of playing solid cricket. We’re looking forward to a blockbuster contest. A drool-worthy contest between the defending champions and a team that has always been bridesmaids, not brides. Now New Zealand have a chance.”
Their captain Mitchell Santner certainly believes so.
“It’s going to be a challenge. We all know we’re probably not the favorites,” he said at Saturday’s pre-game press conference. “But we don’t care. We know what we can do. If we can do the little things well and have a strong team performance, we’ll be in a pretty good position.”
“I don’t mind losing a little bit of my heart in order to lift the trophy once.”
How to watch Sunday’s finals
Sky customers: Watch the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand live on Sunday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket and 1pm (1.30pm first pitch) on Sky Sports Main Event.
Sky Sports app: Sky customers can watch the final on the Sky Sports app while on the move. Download the Sky Sports app here:
Non-Sky customers: Stream the final using your NOW daily or monthly pass. Click here for more information.
