The brains and brawns of New Zealand will take on overwhelming favourites Team India in the T20 World Cup 2026 final on March 8, Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Although India start as heavy favourities, especially being the home side, the Kiwis will back themselves to create history as they are in the T20 World Cup final for the second time. Their nine-wicket battering of South Africa in the semi-final will give them massive confidence ahead of facing the Men in Blue.
Here are 3 New Zealand players that Team India need to be wary of:
3) Glenn Phillips:
A three-dimensional player, Glenn Phillips can hurt Team India in every facet that there is to. The spin-bowling all-rounder can not only dish out the big hits at will but also pick wickets with his off-spin, especially with India having a handful of left-handers in the line-up. His batting strike rate of 160 in the tournament suggests he can clear the ropes comfortably at will. Although Phillips’ dropped chance of David Miller in the semi-final was an anomaly, he is among the best fielders in the current era, capable of pulling off stunning catches at any junctures. The 29-year-old will be keen to leave his mark in the decider and propel the Kiwis to their maiden T20 World Cup glory.
2) Mitchell Santner:
Captain Mitchell Santner is a cool and calm customer, showcasing his leadership skills exceptionally skills in the semi-final against an unbeaten Proteas side. Although the left-arm spinner didn’t pick a wicket, he gave away only 25 runs in his quota of four overs as it went a long way in restricting South Africa to 169. Santner has also been marvellous with the bat in the 20-team tournament, maintaining a strike rate of 157.14 in seven matches.
1) Finn Allen:
Fresh off his belligerent hundred against South Africa in the knockout game in Kolkata, fans in Ahmedabad will be keenly watching how Finn Allen goes in the decider. The 26-year-old took apart South Africa’s bowling attack with ease, galloping to his ton only in 33 deliveries to shave off the target of 170 only in 12.5 overs. Nevertheless, Allen will have his task cut out, given India’s attack comprise of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya. But he did show a glimpse of his pyrotechnics during the T20I against India in Thiruvananthapuram with his 38-ball 80.
