Shivam Dube drops an easy catch as Finn Allen gets a lifeline

Shivam Dube missed an easy chance in the very first over of the run chase of the T20 World Cup 2026 Final match. On the fifth ball of the first over of the second innings, New Zealand opener Finn Allen could have departed very early if Dube had managed to grip the ball.

Arshdeep Singh was on his toes to make a celebration, but his momentum was cut short as the ball soon evaded the palms of the fielder. The replay shows that the ball might have touched the fingertips and then fallen on the ground. In the first over of the second innings, New Zealand got only 4 runs, but most importantly, they earned a lifeline.

Finn Allen failed to utilise the extra lifeline

Though Finn Allen, who scored a match-winning century against South Africa in the semifinals, did not survive on the pitch for a long time in the final against India. The attacking opener departed for 9(7). Axar Patel takes the wicket in the third over of the innings.

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— Nickk Knight (@KnightNick34590) March 8, 2026

The Indian batters were all over the New Zealand bowlers

Against India’s first innings total of 255 runs against 5 wickets, the New Zealand cricket team was already under immense pressure when their openers walked onto the pitch. Inside the powerplay, they lost three crucial wickets in quick intervals. In 6 overs, they were able to score only 52 runs against the wickets of Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips. The vice-captain of Team India, Axar Patel, claimed two crucial wickets in the form of Allen and Phillips. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah clinched the scalp of Ravindra.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner decided to bowl first as there was a hint of grass on the surface. When the opening pair of India- Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma- started to swing their blades, the Kiwi bowlers looked absolutely clueless. In the first innings, Abhishek Sharma and the number 3 batter of India, Ishan Kishan, scored a half-century each. But it was Sanju Samson, who stole the spotlight again. The right-handed opener scored 89 runs in 46 balls with the help of five 4s and 8 sixes.

Shivam Dube pushed Team India over the 250-run mark

The free-flowing momentum was suddenly troubled when Hardik Pandya and captain Suryakumar Yadav were taken off guard. Before the conclusion of the first innings, it was the encore of Shivam Dube that dragged the team over the 250-run mark.

Dube came out to bat as the number 7 batter of the line-up and remained not out after securing an unbeaten 26 runs off 8 balls. The brief but powerful knock was laced with three 4s and a couple of 6s, and Team India, the defending champions, got 255 runs in 20 overs, in exchange for 5 wickets only. India are nearing a victory.

Read More: Fans go beserk after Sanju Samson's blazing knock in T20 World Cup final