New Zealand will face India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, aiming to shake off their reputation as perennial runners-up in white-ball cricket.

The Black Caps have lost four previous ICC finals since 2015, including the 2025 Champions Trophy, 2021 T20 World Cup, and 2019 and 2015 ODI World Cups.

“We are consistent because we focus on our game, not the occasion,” said New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.

“We’re not favourites, but if we do the small things well as a team, we can put ourselves in a good position. I wouldn’t mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once.”

The final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with more than 90,000 fans expected.

New Zealand advanced after dominant wins over South Africa and England, highlighted by Finn Allen’s 33-ball century, the fastest in T20 World Cup history.

India, meanwhile, enter the final on the back of a semi-final against England and are chasing multiple milestones: becoming the first host to win a T20 World Cup, defending their title, and claiming a third championship.

Santner acknowledged the challenge of facing India’s star-studded lineup and Jasprit Bumrah, whom he called a “game-changer.”

“The way to slow them down is taking wickets and squeezing the middle overs. India will put us under pressure from the first to the 12th over,” he said.

Despite India’s semi-final concerns over Varun Chakaravarthy, Santner expects the hosts to be formidable.

New Zealand, who have never lost to India in T20 World Cups, will look to repeat history despite India’s recent 4-1 T20I series dominance at home.

“The mindset has to be the same as any other game, but in T20 cricket, it always comes down to a couple of key moments,” Santner said, emphasising New Zealand’s focus on controlling their own destiny in the final.