India and New Zealand will battle it out in the final of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (March 8). Both teams will be playing against each other at this venue in T20I cricket after a little over three years, having last gone head-to-head in February 2023.
The Record
India has played a total of ten T20I matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium, winning seven and losing three of those. The last outing for the Men in Blue at this venue in T20 cricket came against South Africa in the Super Eight stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup, which ended in a heavy loss for them, 76 runs to be precise.
The Implication
The loss in question had put India’s qualification in the semifinal of the tournament in jeopardy as the home team needed to win their remaining two games against Zimbabwe and West Indies, respectively, in order to stay in contention for a place in the top four. To add to that, they needed a littlefavour from South Africa, the same team that got the better of them to beat West Indies, which they did.
The History
If we look at the history of matches played by India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the recent past, it hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the defending T20 World Cup champions, having lost two of the last three matches that they have played on this ground in ICC tournaments.
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The Results
The most talked about game out of the three matches is the final of the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup against Australia. Put in to bat first, the home team posted a below-par total of 240 runs on the board. However, the Indian bowlers started well by picking up three wickets early in the chase, but Travis Head had other plans as the left-handed opener scored a match-winning century while riding his luck.
The Win
The only win that India have registered so far at the Narendra Modi Stadium in ICC tournaments since that final came in the ongoing tournament against the Netherlands, and would want to improve the record by claiming a title-clinching win in the final against New Zealand.
The Positives
However, India can take confidence from the fact that they possess a good record at this venue in T20I cricket, which has been the centre of some memorable matches in this format. 234/4, the highest score at this venue was posted by India against New Zealand in 2023, and the Suryakumar Yadav-led side would look to replicate the same effort if it bats first.
The Opponent
As far as New Zealand’s record in T20I cricket at this venue is concerned, the Blackcaps are yet to win a T20I game at this venue, having lost both the games that they have been a part of.
Also Read: Highest Totals in T20 Internationals at Narendra Modi Stadium
