The final match of T20 World Cup 2026 will be played between India and New Zealand on Sunday i.e. March 8. This match will be held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Team India will enter with the intention of winning the title for the second consecutive time. Before the match, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has given such a statement, which has reminded Indian fans of the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
‘No problem if you have to break a few hearts to win the trophy’
In the press conference before the final, Santner said that even though his team is not the favorite in this match, he will not mind if he has to break the hearts of the Indian fans to win the trophy. Santner said that his team can change the course of the match by capitalizing on small opportunities properly and with this confidence New Zealand will enter the final. Santner said, ‘Everyone feels that we are not favorites in this match, but it does not matter to us. If we do our little things right and perform well as a team, we will have a good chance of winning the trophy. Even if we have to break some hearts for this, we have no problem.
Remembered Cummins’ statement
This statement of Santner reminds Indian fans of the moment before the 2023 ODI World Cup final, when Australia captain Pat Cummins had said in the press conference that his aim was to pacify the one-sided Indian audience present at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. That statement of Cummins was later proved to be true, when Australia defeated India and won the World Cup. Now, in the same manner, Santner’s statement has become a topic of discussion before the final.
New Zealand in great form before the final
The New Zealand team has looked in great form before reaching the final. In the semi-finals it defeated South Africa, which had been undefeated throughout the tournament. The special thing is that South Africa had also defeated India on the same ground. Santner believes that his team can take confidence from that victory and pull off a big upset against India. He said that many times small moments in T20 cricket decide the outcome of the match and his team wants to take advantage of those moments.
There will be domestic pressure on India
The New Zealand captain also said that there will be extra pressure on India due to playing the final on home ground. Santner said, ‘India is in great form and looks very strong especially in batting. However, he might have wanted to do a little better in bowling, because he had given more than 240 runs in the semi-finals. But both the teams will enter the field with their strength and the team which performs better for a long time will win the trophy.
