NewKerala.com

India vs New Zealand T20 WC Final: Shukla Backs Samson, Kishan to Shine

Former India cricketer and West Bengal minister Laxmi Ratan Shukla has encouraged the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand, expressing confidence in the form of batters like Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. The final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with New Zealand entering after a dominant semi-final victory over South Africa. Former selector Sambaran Banerjee highlighted the crucial role of Jasprit Bumrah's bowling for India's success. India will look to break their historical T20 World Cup losing streak against New Zealand, buoyed by a recent bilateral series win.

Key Points: T20 World Cup Final: India vs New Zealand Preview & Predictions

  • Shukla expresses faith in form of Samson & Kishan
  • NZ entered final after dominant semi-final win
  • India seeks to break WC losing streak vs NZ
  • Bumrah's bowling highlighted as crucial
  • Finn Allen scored fastest T20 WC century
3 min read

Former Indian cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla encourages Team India to maintain form in the T20 WC final against New Zealand

Former cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla encourages Team India ahead of T20 WC final vs NZ. Preview, key players, and historic stats analyzed.

"India can do well if it keeps playing the same way it has been playing till now. - Laxmi Ratan Shukla"

Kolkata, March 8

Former India cricketer and West Bengal minister Laxmi Ratan Shukla on Sunday encouraged Team India to play the way they have played throughout the tournament ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, expressing confidence in batters Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan's good form and wished the team the best ahead of the summit clash.

While New Zealand entered the finals after defeating South Africa in the semifinal, India secured a thrilling seven-run win over Engalnd in Mumbai to book their finals berth.

Speaking to ANI ahead of the final match, Laxmi Ratan Shukla said it is a historic day and expressed confidence in players like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, while noting that New Zealand is a strong team. He added that India can succeed if the team maintains its current form.

"It is a historic day today. We have faith in Abhishek Sharma. Sanju Samson is in a great form. Ishan Kishan is playing well. New Zealand is not a weak team. India can do well if it keeps playing the same way it has been playing till now. Best wishes to India."

Former national selector Sambaran Banerjee said it is a big match in a large stadium and expressed hope for India's success, highlighting the importance of Jasprit Bumrah's bowling and noting that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will open the innings.

Former national selector Sambaran Banerjee also said it is a big match and expressed hope for India's success, highlighting the importance of Jasprit Bumrah's bowling.

"Today is a big match. It is a big stadium. I hope India will do well today. I hope that whoever wins the toss bowls first. Jasprit Bumrah's bowling is the most important," he said.

Coming to both teams' T20 WC 2026 campaigns, India and New Zealand took different routes to the T20 World Cup 2026 final. New Zealand recovered from group-stage losses to South Africa and England to dominate the semifinals, chasing down 170 against South Africa with a nine-wicket win in 12.5 overs, highlighted by Finn Allen's 33-ball century--the fastest in T20 World Cup history.

India, unbeaten in the group stage except for a Super 8s loss to South Africa, secured a thrilling seven-run semi-final win over England, after posting 253/7 in the first innings of the match.

While New Zealand have historically never lost to India in T20 World Cups (2007, 2016, 2021), India's recent 4-1 T20I series win over the Black Caps in India gives the hosts the momentum heading into the final.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, the atmosphere is electric! That stat about NZ never losing to India in WC T20s is scary though. Hope the boys break that jinx at the Narendra Modi Stadium. All the best, Team India!
V
Vikram M
Honestly, I'm a bit worried. Our middle order hasn't been tested under severe pressure in this tournament. And Finn Allen is in devastating form. Bumrah will need to be at his absolute best in the powerplay. Fingers crossed 🤞
P
Priya S
So proud of the team's journey! From that loss in Super 8s to this final. Abhishek Sharma has been a revelation. Let's bring the cup home! 🇮🇳 #T20WorldCupFinal
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, while the encouragement is good, I wish former players would analyze more and give generic "keep playing well" advice less. What specific strategy should we employ against Allen? That's what I want to hear.
M
Michael C
This is going to be a cracker of a final! The 4-1 series win at home gives India the psychological edge, but World Cup finals are a different beast. May the best team win. (But quietly hoping for an Indian victory!).

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50