India Playing XI vs New Zealand Playing XI - Final | ICC T20 World Cup 2026

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been an exciting tournament to watch. After 54 matches in the tournament, the competition has finally got its two finalists. India will be facing New Zealand in the all-important 55th match of the tournament at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

India secured their place after a thrilling semi-final win by 7 runs over England last night at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. On the other hand, New Zealand were the first team to qualify for the final, after beating South Africa in semi-final 1 by 9 wickets at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

This is the fourth time these two sides have met in T20 World Cups. As the Kiwis have the upper hand against the Men in Blue, winning in all the last three meetings at this competition. However, the co-host will be looking to change their fortune on Sunday, March 8, and defend the trophy.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

India Playing XI vs New Zealand—T20 World Cup 2026 final:

India have been excellent with the bat in the last few games. They scored the highest ever total in a T20 World Cup knockout game against England last night, scoring 253/7 in the 20 overs. They have the firepower in their batting, which was displayed last night. India would go all guns blazing without any changes in the final.

Openers: Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson (wk)

India will be opening with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. As the latter has been in excellent form, scoring 97* and 89 in the two most crucial games for the Men in Blue. Samson has been firing from the start with his controlled aggression.

Abhishek will be crucial as he needs to find runs, as he has just scored one fifty. This can be his match against the Kiwis on Sunday, where he brings his best out in the final and takes the game away from the Black Caps. He should bring out the firepower and threat he possesses in this match.

Middle Order Batters and All-Rounders: Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel

Ishan Kishan has also been in excellent form. Despite a change in his position, he has been playing some impactful innings in the last few games. On the other hand, SKY has been struggling with his strike rate; however, Tilak Varma has got his form back and is enjoying the finisher role as well.

Hardik Pandya is always a big-match player for the side as he has been showcasing with his all-around performances. Shivam Dube has been the silent killer for India and quietly delivered his innings. Axar Patel, who was excellent in the field against England, will once again try to bowl a lot with the ball as he has not had much chance to bat.

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

The duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah will be looking to get early wickets, with the new ball, as there will be support in the Ahmedabad pitch with some swing early on in the game. They did that against South Africa, picking three early wickets.

Varun Chakravarthy will be key in the middle overs. In the last few games, he has been attacked by the opponents and has failed to get his line and length right. Though Chakravarthy is the leading wicket-taker for the side and the joint-highest in the tournament. He just needs one wicket to surpass Shadley van Schalkwyk's 13 wickets.

India Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand Playing XI vs India—T20 World Cup 2026 final:

New Zealand have been one of the dark horses in the tournament. They were not considered as favourites, and yet they are in the final of the tournament. This shows their unity and planning in big competitions.

Openers: Finn Allen and Tim Seifert

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have been brutal with their batting. The two openers in their last game against the Proteas showed an amazing batting display and took the game away in the first 8 overs. They will be crucial in the final to give the Kiwis a good start. The two explosive openers have scored the majority of runs for the side.

Middle Order Batters and All-Rounders: Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Cole McConchie, Mitchell Santner (c), Jimmy Neesham

Rachin Ravindra has done more with the ball than the bat. He has been excellent with the ball in the middle overs, picking up crucial wickets. Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Cole McConchie, and Mitchell Santner have contributed equally with the bat and the ball for the side. Neesham played against South Africa and had a decent game with the ball.

Bowlers: Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry

The Kiwis will be going with two frontline bowlers, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. The latter has been clinical with the new ball and picking up early wickets. Ferguson has used all his experience of playing the IPL all over the years and delivered the pace-off deliveries and the yorkers well.

New Zealand Predicted XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry.

Also Read: Sam Curran brutally labelled ‘waste’, ‘useless’, and ‘terrible’ by India World Cup winner