ICC World T20 final preview : Hosts’ chance to erase 2023 ghosts as Ahmedabad awaits the pinnacle clash.

Three weeks of riveting cricket, and now just two teams left.  India and New Zealand, the two best teams, or rather the two teams who have played the best cricket clash at the Narendra Modi stadium on Sunday (March 8). The hosts, who will play their second final in 3 years, have a shot as they look to bury the ghosts of 19 November 2023. The high flying Kiwis, who walloped South Africa in a one sided semi final look to maintain their spotless record in ICC tournaments against the hosts in the T20 format. 

India have been a near consistent side in the tournament, barring a blip against South Africa. The bowling has been consistent and the batting too has fired, particularly in the last two games where they thwarted the West Indies and England. Sanju Samson has been absolutely riveting in these last two games and one final push is needed. Despite Abhishek Sharma not firing, he will be backed and will be aiming for a banger of an innings in Ahmedabad. 

Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel have been firing all cylinders, but the biggest positive has been Shivam Dube. He has been an absolute revelation and will be looking to sign off on a high as he did in the semi final. The power hitting has been exceptional and India would rarely look back as they have been playing this brand of cricket for the last year and a half. 

The bowling has been on the mark too as Arshdeep, Bumrah, Hardik and Axar have been hitting the strides. Varun Chakravarthy has been disappointing but might still get the nod as Kuldeep Yadav lurks in the shadows. The might of New Zealand has to be countered with the slowness of the Indian spinners as the pitch is expected to be a mix of black and red soil.

The Kiwis would love to continue to remain unbeaten in T20 world cups against India. 2007, 2016 and 2021. 3 games, 3 thumping wins on 3 different grounds and they would want to add a maiden T20 title to their cabinet. Finn Alen, Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra have been consistent and add the power of Glenn Philips, Daryl Mitchell and McConchie, the latest new addition have been absolutely terrific and captain Mitchell Santner has enough arsenal to tackle the Indian batting which has been dominating left arm spin throughout the tournament.

India’s nemesis Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham have blown hot and cold but with India opposite them, they know their plans which would silence an Ahmedabad stadium once again. Ish sodhi might have kept a close eye on the semi final and accordingly made plans against Sky and co. 

2021 revenge and 2025 revenge. Even though the world revenge is the most over rated word in sport, it would be a cracker of a final, as two “peaked at the right time” teams clash and play one upmanship to get hold of thar glittering trophy.