rewrite this title India v New Zealand live: Latest updates from the T20 World Cup final

The atmosphere is building in Ahmedabad, where fans are gathering ahead of this World Cup final:

The Narendra Modi Stadium — the largest cricket ground in the world — will once again be packed as India look to ward off the ghosts of the ODI World Cup final in 2023 when Australia beat them. Pat Cummins lifted the trophy at Ahmedabad as the Indian team watched in agony.

Rohit Sharma then led India to consecutive triumphs at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, but that defeat to Australia still rankles.

India has won two T20 World Cups (2007 and 2024). England and the West Indies also have two titles. India return to Ahmedabad in pursuit of more silverware — again as co-hosts but this time also as defending champions.

“There is pressure, I cannot deny that,” Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said Saturday. “There is excitement too — playing another World Cup final and that too on home soil.”

India are facing New Zealand in today’s T20 World Cup final as the hosts aim to become the first country to win a third men’s crown in the shortest format of the game, and the first to retain the title.

India are the favourites with home advantage on their side and a surpreme batting line-up full of six-hitting power, including captain Suryakumar Yadav, wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan and their semi-final match-winner Sanju Samson.

New Zealand boast their own power in Finn Allen, who blasted South Africa off the park in the semis, and Tim Seifert at the top of the order. But they will have to find a way to contain the great Jasprit Bumrah if they are to overcome India and lift the T20 World Cup for the first time.

Here’s how the two sides could line up:

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Jimmy Neesham, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.

India take on New Zealand at the giant Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad today, from 1.30pm GMT (7pm local time).

The final will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket. Subscribers can also stream the game online via the Sky Sports website and Sky Go app.

Hello and welcome along as we bring you live updates from the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. Will India become the first country to win a third men’s T20 crown, or will New Zealand get their hands on their first?