Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes fans will be in for an exciting battle as the India national cricket team is set to take on the New Zealand national cricket team in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Defending champions India reached the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 after a thrilling seven-run win over the England national cricket team in the second semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium.
India secure place in T20 World Cup 2026 final after thrilling seven-run win over England
It was a high-scoring thriller where India posted a mammoth score of 253 runs on the back of Sanju Samson’s explosive innings of 89 against England on Thursday.
Also Read: “Don’t talk about him”: Kapil Dev’s blunt comment on Jasprit Bumrah
England tried to chase the target with the help of a brilliant century from Jacob Bethel, but India managed to remain calm in the final overs against England at the Wankhede Stadium.
Smart and exciting wins from Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya helped the Men in Blue register a narrow seven-run win and set up a final date with the Kiwis.
India vs New Zealand rivalry in ICC events
There is already a strong rivalry between India and New Zealand in ICC finals. The two sides first met in the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy 2000, where New Zealand won the title. They faced each other again in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2021 and the Kiwis won the title.
India finally took their revenge by defeating New Zealand in the final of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. And now they will be desperate to maintain their dominance in the T20 World Cup 2026 finals as well. Before the big match, Sunil Gavaskar said that both the teams have played excellent cricket in the tournament, which has made the final even more exciting.
It’s going to be a great final: Sunil Gavaskar
PTI quoted Sunil Gavaskar as saying, “So, tomorrow’s (IND vs ENG) results, take a look at my nails. I think it’s going to be an amazing final. Because New Zealand have also played some excellent cricket. And India have kept their composure in two or three close matches. So, I think it’s very good for India.”
Here is the video
Video | On India taking on New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said, “I think it is going to be a great final because New Zealand has also played some great cricket and India has kept its composure in one or two close matches… pic.twitter.com/fjv2QQ69rD
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) 6 March 2026
The former Indian captain believes that India’s biggest strength is the performance of different players in important matches rather than relying on just one star player.
Gavaskar said, “Because India has got someone to come, it is not necessarily dependent on any one particular person. So, I believe it is going to be a great final. And I am just hoping that you all will pray and wish that India repeats history and beats history.”
Sunil Gavaskar criticizes “Boom Boom Bumrah” chant during semi-final
Earlier, the former World Cup winner had criticized the idea of fans chanting Jasprit Bumrah’s name in between deliveries during the semi-final against England.
When the star pacer was about to bowl, the DJ tried to create an electric atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium by getting the crowd excited with loud “Boom Boom Boomrah” chants.
Gavaskar believes that this could distract Bumrah while chasing such an important target and it is not at all a good idea to distract the bowler during tough stages in the World Cup semi-finals.
“It’s not a good idea to ask the crowd to chant ‘Boom Boom Bumrah’ when he is bowling. They can do it between overs, but not during overs. This is a World Cup,” he said on air.
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