IND VS NZ final: India eye historic third title in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final

AHMEDABAD: The Indian national cricket team will be aiming to make history when they face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.

A victory in the title clash would see India become the first team to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times, further cementing their dominance in the shortest format of the game.

India previously lifted the trophy in 2007, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, when they defeated the Pakistan national cricket team in the inaugural final. Their second title came in 2024, when they beat the South Africa national cricket team to reclaim the crown after a long wait.

In the 2024 final, India posted a competitive total before their bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict South Africa in a tense finish, sealing a memorable victory and ending a prolonged ICC trophy drought.

Overall, India have won the T20 World Cup twice. In the 2007 final in Johannesburg, India defeated Pakistan by five runs in a thrilling contest to claim the inaugural title under Dhoni’s leadership. Their second triumph came in the 2024 final in Barbados, where India edged South Africa by seven runs after successfully defending their total in a closely fought encounter.

New Zealand, meanwhile, are chasing their first-ever T20 World Cup title. The Black Caps previously reached the final in 2021, finishing as runners-up after losing to the Australia national cricket team.

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India entered the final after defeating the England national cricket team in the semifinal, while New Zealand secured their spot by overcoming South Africa in the other semifinal.

If India defeat New Zealand in the 2026 final, they will become the first team in history to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times.

With history on the line for India and a maiden title within reach for New Zealand, the final promises to be a high-stakes contest between two of the most consistent teams in world cricket.