AHMEDABAD: India has set a massive target of 256 runs for New Zealand in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup being played at the Ahmedabad Stadium. After Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field first, the Indian batting lineup delivered a powerhouse performance to post 255 runs in their allotted overs.
Sanju Samson led the charge with a brilliant 89 runs, supported by Ishan Kishan, who scored 54. Other contributors included Shivam Dube with 26 runs, Hardik Pandya with 18, and Verma with 8. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, however, was dismissed for a duck. For New Zealand, Jimmy Neesham was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets to restrict the scoring late in the innings.
India reached the final following a dominant tournament run, with their only defeat coming against South Africa. They secured their spot in the title clash after a tense 7-run victory over England in the semi-finals. New Zealand’s journey included losses to South Africa in the group stage and England in the Super 8s, but they surged into the final after defeating South Africa by 9 wickets in their semi-final match.
Statistically, India holds the upper hand in the rivalry between the two sides. Out of 30 T20 matches played to date, India has emerged victorious in 18 encounters, while New Zealand has won 11, with one match ending in a draw. The Kiwis now face a daunting challenge as they attempt to chase down the 256-run target to claim the world title.
