Before a single ball was bowled, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium gave the crowd something to remember.
The Internet can’t get over Kavita Krishnamurthy’s T20 closing anthem
Veteran singer Kavita Krishnamurthy delivered a powerful and rousing rendition of the national anthem that instantly electrified the atmosphere at the ground before the start of the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand.
She stood proudly in front of the Indian team as the Men in Blue, dressed in a blue saree that matched the team’s iconic jersey color, joined her in singing the national anthem. It was a moment of quiet dignity before what promised to be a very loud evening.
The response online was immediate and overwhelming. Fans on social media couldn’t stop talking about the moment and the words they used said it all.
“Kavita Krishnamurthy sang the national anthem. Absolute talent, absolute vibes (sic),” one user wrote, summing up in a few words what thousands felt at once.
Others felt it was a decision worthy of celebration in its own right. “Having Kavita Krishnamurthy for the national anthem in the #T20WorldCup2026final is the best decision @ICC #JaiHo & yeh NZ bowlers already feeling the heat of the big match (sic),” wrote another fan, capturing both the reverence of the moment and the electric anticipation of the match ahead.
For many, it went beyond cricket. “Kavita Krishnamurthy brought patriotic energy to the ICC Cricket World Cup with her powerful rendition of Vande Mataram, filling millions of hearts with pride and unity as India cheered for victory (sic),” wrote one viewer, reflecting the mood of a nation that watched with bated breath.
In any case, it was the perfect start to an evening that will go down in history.
More about the final
India batted first after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field. It was a decision that didn’t quite go to plan for the Kiwis as opener Abhishek Sharma swung from the very first ball to score a half-century in just 18 deliveries – a record at this stage of the tournament – as India scored 92 runs in the first six overs without loss.
Sanju Samson kept the pace going with an excellent 89 off 45 balls, his third half-century in as many games. A small wobble in the middle overs was quickly forgotten as Shivam Dube single-handedly smashed 24 runs in the final over, helping India to 255/5 – the highest score ever in a T20 World Cup final.
