"It’s hard to avoid because it’s everywhere. It’s obviously a tough situation and some people at the World Cup have been affected as well. For us, though, we’re trying to focus on what tomorrow’s game looks like against a very good Indian side," said Santner while answering to NDTV's query during the press conference. 

The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder also made it clear that New Zealand would not hesitate to spoil the home team's celebrations if given the opportunity.

"I don't mind winning the trophy. But we have been very consistent. I don't mind breaking a few hearts and winning the trophy," Santner remarked.

Addressing the media on the eve of the summit clash, Mitchell Santner said his side is excited for the final and acknowledged that India, playing in front of their home crowd, will face immense pressure to retain the title.

"That's the goal to silence the crowd, but there are a lot of challenges to cricket, and they are variable. I think there is a lot of pressure on India to win at home," Santner said. 

Reflecting on the conditions in Ahmedabad, Santner noted that while the surface remained covered, expectations remain high for a batting-friendly deck. "Yeah, I mean I haven't had a look at the wicket yet, it's still under cover, but one can only assume it's going to be pretty flat and high scoring," Mitchell Santner said.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is clear about what to expect from the T20 World Cup 2026 final against India in Ahmedabad, at least as far as the pitch is concerned. Speaking ahead of the final against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Santner acknowledged the challenge posed by a "world-class" Indian bowling attack and a pitch that appears primed for high scores.

Playing at home, carrying the tag of defending champions, and coming off recent bilateral wins against the Kiwis, India appear to have momentum on their side. However, history offers a counterpoint-New Zealand have never lost to India in tournament encounters. Both sides have endured turbulent journeys throughout the competition, at times appearing close to early exits before staging strong comebacks to secure their spots in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final.

"I feel sometimes when you get desperate or when you try to do too many things, you end up bowling too full or too short, and that's exactly what's happening with Varun. His strength is to bowl that hard length, not the one that fast bowlers bowl, but for a spinner, the good length where the bounce is around knee-high. Because with his pace, if the batter is not picking him up from the hand, it becomes really difficult as he's so quick off the surface," Chawla told JioStar.

Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has paid the price for bowling "too full or too short" in the last two matches of the T20 World Cup, believes former India spinner Piyush Chawla. Chakaravarthy returned figures of 1/40 and 1/64 against the West Indies and England in the last two games. It remains to be seen if India opt to replace him with left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The stage keeps getting bigger!
Joining Global Superstar Ricky Martin at the Closing Ceremony before the #T20WorldCup Final are music icons Sukhbir and Falguni Pathak!
Get ready for global hits and desi anthems as these legendary artists light up the biggest night in cricket.… pic.twitter.com/8kMK7yg31b

— ICC (@ICC) March 7, 2026

"I just wanted to back myself. I knew the first two balls of the over would be crucial, so my focus was on getting them right because that could decide the game. It had already been decided that I would bowl the last over. I was definitely nervous - bowling the final over of a World Cup semi-final is always challenging," Shivam Dube said in a video on BCCI.

The choice of a wicket with higher red soil content, rather than black, has reportedly been made considering India's history of losing two crucial matches. India's defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final occurred on a black soil pitch, which tends to become sluggish.

The centre pitch, which is reportedly set to be used for the summit clash, will be a mix of red and black soil. It is expected to provide good bounce for the bowlers, with the par score around 200. The pitch has hosted just one match in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far. In that game, South Africa defeated Canada after scoring 213. 

The T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will be played on a 'mixed soil' pitch, not too different from the one used in the semi-final in Mumbai, according to a report. The report claims that the Ahmedabad pitch is also expected to be a batting paradise with minimal turn for bowlers.  

A ruthless New Zealand rode on a record 33-ball century from 'local lad' Finn Allen to outclass South Africa by nine wickets and storm into the T20 World Cup final in Kolkata Wednesday. Allen, who will be turning up for Kolkata Knight Riders in another three weeks' time, smashed 10 fours and 8 sixes to finish an incredible chase of 170 in just 12.5 overs, leaving entire South African team dumbfounded.

Defending champions India defeated England by seven runs in the second semifinal to storm into the summit clash of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Thursday. Sent in to bat, opener Sanju Samson blasted seven sixes and eight fours on way to a 42-ball 89 as India posted a challenging 253. Shivam Dube (43), Ishan Kishan (39), Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21) also chipped in with brisk knocks. Chasing a massive target of 254, Jacob Bethell's sensational 105 off 48 balls went in vain as England managed 246 for seven in 20 overs.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the reactions and build-up for the T20 World Cup 2026, final match between India and New Zealand. Stay tuned with us for all the live updates of the summit clash.