India look to break Ahmedabad jinx in ICC T20 WC final against NZ

The scars of November 19, 2023 are still fresh for a billion Indian cricket fans.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

On that day, Pat Cummins famously kept his promise to silence the roaring crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium as Australia defeated India in the final of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. India found some redemption in the months that followed, lifting the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in Barbados.

Now, nearly 18 months later, India return to the same Ahmedabad venue with a chance to defend their T20 World Cup crown, this time against a confident New Zealand side chasing its first ICC white-ball title since 2000. India can draw confidence from their recent success against the Kiwis.On 9 March, 2025, they defeated a similar New Zealand side in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai.

However, India’s record at the Narendra Modi Stadium has been far from convincing. EvenintheongoingT20 World Cup, they suffered their only defeat of the competition here against South Africa in the Super Eight stage before victories over Zimbabwe and West Indies helped them progress to the semifinals, where they narrowly overcame England in Mumbai.

New Zealand, on the other hand, arrive for the summit clash brimming with confidence aftera commanding nine-wicket win over the Proteas in the first semifinal. Interestingly, the Black Caps had entered the tournament following a 1-4 bilateral series defeat to India in January.