T20 World Cup final: Billion hopes as India face New Zealand for coveted crown
Suryakumar Yadav’s hosts have a team ahead of them to reach the final after beating previously unbeaten South Africa by nine wickets.
A spirited New Zealand believe they can finally win the T20 World Cup crown after Finn Allen’s record-breaking 33-ball haul in the semi-final.
Captain Mitchell Santner said: “If we keep up the same business, we could upset another big team.”
India will have to live up to the expectations of over 100,000 cricket-loving fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Hundreds of millions more people will watch it on television.
The world’s best T20 team is trying to become the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups and lift the trophy on home soil. “There will definitely be pressure and nerves, especially playing in India and going for the title,” Suryakumar said after the frustrating seven-run win in a high-scoring semi-final against England.
“But the kids are excited and so are all the support staff.”
India effectively played three knockout matches to reach the final after losing the opening match of the Super Eights to South Africa.
They defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs and made 196 runs to reach the semi-finals, beating the West Indies in must-win matches.
– ‘Special’ Bumrah –
India, who posted a massive 253-7 against England in the last four, needed a crucial 18th over from bowling great Jasprit Bumrah to fend off the English batting onslaught.
Bumrah scored just six runs in his final over, leaving England with plenty to do, and despite Jacob Bethell’s 105, India held on.
Suryakumar admitted that he is lucky to have a unique talent that he can draw on at crucial moments.
“It was a special bowling display,” he said of Bumrah.
The main concerns for India are the form of opening batsman Abhishek Sharma and leading spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
Both are number one in the International Cricket Council T20 rankings, but their spirits soured as the tournament approached its climax.
Abhishek had three ducks in a row in the group stage and his only mark was a fifty against Zimbabwe.
Chakravarthy was targeted mercilessly by England’s batsmen at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium as they pummeled him for 64 runs from four overs.
He has taken just four wickets since the group stage.
New Zealand suffered both hot and cold weather, having lost to South Africa and England early in the tournament.
But all their players are fit at the right times and they have enough firepower to upset India.
Moreover, they have nothing to lose as they will enter the final with a huge defeat.
Santner said: “This will definitely be a fight where everyone knows we are not favourites.
“But yeah, it wouldn’t hurt to break a few people’s hearts just to lift the trophy for once.”
