The International Cricket Council has appointed Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf as on-field umpires for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final between Suryakumar Yadav’s India and Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand. The title fight is scheduled for Sunday, March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Illingworth will be making their second Men’s T20 World Cup final. He had previously stood alongside Chris Gaffaney at the 2024 summit when India faced South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The appointment adds to Illingworth’s impressive list of assignments at major ICC events, which also includes the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final.
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Meanwhile, Wharf will play their first senior ICC World Cup final. Also a former England cricketer, Wharf has previously officiated at global tournaments such as the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup before being promoted to the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires last year.
Notably, Illingworth and Wharf also stood together New Zealand’s semi-final victory over South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata earlier in the tournament.
They will be assisted in the final by third official Allahuddien Paleker and fourth official Adrian Holdstock, while Andy Pycroft will act as match referee. Paleker, who joined the ICC Elite Panel in March 2025, officiated six matches during the tournament.
HOW INDIA, NEW ZEALAND QUALIFIED FOR FINAL
New Zealand booked their place in the T20 World Cup final with a dominant nine-wicket win over South Africa in the semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Proteas were posted 169 for eight but the Black Caps comfortably chased down the target in just 12.5 overs. Finn Allen shone with a sensational 100 off 33 balls while Tim Seifert added an unbeaten 58 to seal a comprehensive victory for Mitchell Santner’s side.
Meanwhile, India reached the final after a thrilling seven-run win over England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India posted an impressive 253 for five, powered by a brilliant century from Sanju Samson. England fought hard in the chase but were restricted to 246 for seven.
Jacob Bethell smashed a 45-ball century but his efforts were in vain. Jasprit Bumrah produced a decisive spell at the death to finish with figures of 1 for 33 in four overs to keep England ahead of the target.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
06 Mar 2026 17:52 IST
