Santner outlines New Zealand's plan to stop India in T20 World Cup final
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner spoke ahead of the title decider about how his side plans to counter India's batting firepower at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The final takes place on Sunday and pits together the same two nations who contested the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai, which India won.
Wickets or boundary control
Santner was straightforward about New Zealand's options. "India go hard from the top till through. If you don't take wickets, the best plan is to how not to concede boundaries," he said. "We know how deep India bats. We need to be clear with what we have to do."
He resisted the idea that his team needs to reinvent themselves for a final. "Mindset is same. Easy to say it is another game but it is not like that. It always comes down to a couple of moments. If you approach the game with consistency and ruthlessness, you need not reinvent the game."
Santner backs Varun Chakravarthy
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy has come under scrutiny after returning figures of 1 for 64 from four overs in India's semi-final win over England at the Wankhede. Several former players have questioned whether he should keep his place, but Santner offered a word of support for the Indian mystery spinner.
"We have seen how good Varun is. When it is not seaming and spinning, it is a challenge. Varun is a very good bowler. He is one game away from coming back to form. You need to back on past experience," Santner said.
A flat, high-scoring pitch expected
The match will be played on the centre wicket, the same surface used during the group stage clash between Canada and South Africa on February 9. South Africa posted 213 for 4 that day and won by 57 runs.
The pitch is made from a mix of red and black soil and should offer pace and bounce for seamers while giving spinners very little help. If the surface plays anything like the Wankhede semi-final, where India and England combined for 499 runs, the Ahmedabad crowd could be in for a long night.
