Narendra Modi Stadium curse scares Gautam Gambhir, BCCI makes explosive move before IND-NZ final

India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team: India are getting ready to face New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Ahead of the summit match, the India national cricket team and the BCCI have made some surprising superstitious off-field decisions, according to the latest reports.

The Narendra Modi Stadium has not been a fruitful venue for the Indian team in recent times. India were the favorites in the ODI World Cup 2023 but lost to Australia. During the Super 8 stage against South Africa in the ongoing tournament, Suryakumar Yadav suffered their biggest defeat in T20 World Cup history at Narendra Modi Stadium.

India Follow Superstitious Rituals Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 Final at Narendra Modi Stadium

According to a PTI report, the BCCI has changed the team's hotel in Ahmedabad, hoping the move will bring them good luck for the final. The Men in Blue lost two matches, the ODI World Cup 2023 final and the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against South Africa, when they stayed in the earlier hotel.

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"In Ahmedabad, the BCCI has changed India's team hotel ahead of the final. While no one will come on record but it is only fair to mention that during team's previous couple of stays in the earlier hotel in Ahmedabad, they lost two big matches (2023 ODI WC final and this year's Super 8s against SA)," the PTI report said.

The BCCI and the team management do not want to leave any stone unturned to give the Men in Blue the best chance of winning their third T20 World Cup trophy at Narendra Modi Stadium.

India National Cricket Team Delayed Training Session at Wankhede Stadium Due to Lunar Eclipse on March 3

Before their semifinal victory over England, the Indian team delayed their practice session in Mumbai by 45 minutes. They wanted to avoid the "ill-effects" of a lunar eclipse, as people in India are generally advised not to do anything during that period.

While the training session was delayed, head coach Gautam Gambhir took some time out to attend the wedding of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's son, Arjun, in Mumbai.

Several of Arjun's former Mumbai Indians teammates, including Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya, also attended. Furthermore, a prominent member of the Indian support staff has sought divine blessings at every single venue where the team has played.

India May Prefer Red-Soil Pitch for T20 World Cup 2026 Final at Narendra Modi Stadium

Having lost against South Africa on a black-soil track two weeks back, the Indian team management might opt for a red-soil pitch for the final. The Motera Stadium has all three kinds of tracks available, including red soil, black soil, and a mixture of both.

India delivered a stunning batting show against England on a red-soil track at the Wankhede Stadium. The broadcasters had not yet fixed the stump cameras on any of the surfaces.

However, there was one particular surface that was keenly checked by the local curators and even BCCI CEO Hemang Amin. Later, that was the only surface covered, while the four adjoining tracks were also cordoned off.

Also read: India vs New Zealand pitch details leaked; Sanju Samson to fail in T20 World Cup final?