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. According to the latest reports, ahead of the summit clash, the India national cricket team and the BCCI have taken some surprisingly superstitious decisions off the field.
The Narendra Modi Stadium has not been a productive venue for the Indian team in recent times. India was a strong contender 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 his biggest defeat in T20 World Cup history at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
India following 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, with hopes that the move will help them have better luck in the final. The Men in Blue lost two matches, the ODI World Cup 2023 final and the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 tie against South Africa, when they stayed in the first hotel.
“In Ahmedabad, the BCCI has changed the Indian team’s hotel ahead of the final. While no one will come on record, it is pertinent to mention that during the team’s first hotel stay in Ahmedabad, they lost two big matches (the 2023 ODI World Cup final and this year’s Super 8 against South Africa),” PTI reported.
The BCCI and the team management are leaving no stone unturned to give the Men in Blue the best chance of winning their third T20 World Cup trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Indian national cricket team’s training session at Wankhede Stadium delayed due to lunar eclipse on March 3
Ahead of their semi-final win over England, the Indian team delayed its practice session in Mumbai by 45 minutes. They wanted to avoid the “side effects” of a lunar eclipse, as people in India are generally advised not to do anything during that period.
While the training sessions were delayed, head coach Gautam Gambhir took out some time to attend the wedding of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun in Mumbai.
Many of Arjun’s former Mumbai Indians teammates, including Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were also present. Furthermore, a key member of the Indian support staff has sought divine blessings at every venue where the team has played.
India may prefer red-clay pitch for T20 World Cup 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium
After losing on a black soil pitch against South Africa two weeks ago, the Indian team management may opt for a red soil pitch for the final. Motera Stadium has all three types of tracks available, which include red soil, black soil and a mixture of both.
India put up a brilliant batting display against England on the red clay track at the Wankhede Stadium. The broadcasters had not yet fixed the stump camera to any surface.
However, there was one particular surface which was closely scrutinized by local curators and even BCCI CEO Hemang Amin. Later, that was the only surface, while the four surrounding tracks were also closed.
Also read: India vs New Zealand pitch information leaked; Will Sanju Samson fail in the T20 World Cup final?
