Suryakumar Yadav kept a brave face after losing the FIFA World Cup T20 final between India and New Zealand on Sunday, March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Mitchell Santner won the toss and decided to go first in the race for the top spot.
Despite this, Suryakumar remained undeterred and stated that India were happy to bat first in the grand final. He expressed similar confidence after India were asked to bat first by Harry Brook’s England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where the Men in Blue successfully defended 253 runs. India will be looking for another strong performance with the bat in this high stakes final.
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India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup Final: Update
“I’m glad we’re batting first because we’re doing pretty well. It’s always good to have runs on the board in the semis or finals. Now it’s history, a new World Cup and we’re excited about it. It’s looking full and it’s just time to bowl and hopefully give them a good show. Same team for us,” Suryakumar said at the draw.
In the T20Is at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the teams batting first have won nine of the 14 matches. In both India’s games in Ahmedabad, the side batted first. India beat the Netherlands by 17 runs while South Africa handed India a heavy defeat by 76 runs.
While India recently defeated New Zealand 4-1 at home in a bilateral series, their T20 World Cup record against the Kiwis has been less favourable. Since their first meeting in 2007, New Zealand have a 3-0 edge over India in World Cup matches.
Playing XI for the T20 World Cup final
India
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand
Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
08 March 2026 19:00 IST
