With the stage set for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, India and New Zealand will once again lock horns in what promises to be a high-voltage contest. The summit clash will be played on Sunday, March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with the match scheduled to begin at 7 pm IST.

The two sides had also met in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and the prospect of another title decider between them has heightened anticipation around the contest.

India will walk into the final with the opportunity to script history by becoming the first side to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title. New Zealand, on the other hand, will take the field chasing their first ICC world title in the shortest format. For a team that has often come agonisingly close in global tournaments, Sunday’s final presents a significant opportunity.

New Zealand finished as runners-up in the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup. The final on Sunday marks their third attempt in recent years to lift a major ICC trophy in the format, and the side led by Mitchell Santner will be keen to ensure the result goes their way this time.

The New Zealand side has already played one match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in this edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. On February 14, they suffered a seven-wicket defeat against South Africa at the same venue, a result that could weigh on their preparations for the final.

India’s journey at the venue during the tournament has been mixed. In their Group A encounter against the Netherlands on February 18, India registered a 17-run victory. However, the Super 8 clash against South Africa on February 22 at the same ground ended in a heavy 76-run defeat.

India had also endured heartbreak the last time an ICC final was played at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, losing by six wickets. Despite that setback, India’s overall record in T20 internationals at the Narendra Modi Stadium remains impressive.

In fact, India once recorded a memorable 168-run win over New Zealand in a T20 match at this venue, underlining their dominance in favourable conditions.

A closer look at India’s T20 international record at the Narendra Modi Stadium reflects that strength. Out of 10 matches played here, India have won seven and lost three.

The team’s highest total at the ground came on February 1, 2023 against New Zealand when India posted 234 for 4 in 20 overs. The lowest total was recorded on February 22, 2026 against South Africa, when India were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs.

Among India’s biggest wins here, the 168-run victory over New Zealand on February 1, 2023 remains a standout performance. Another notable result came on March 14, 2021 when India chased down a target of 165 to defeat England by seven wickets. A narrow eight-run victory over England on March 18, 2021 also features among the close contests at the venue.

India’s first T20 match at the ground dates back to December 28, 2012 when they defeated Pakistan by 11 runs. During the England series held in March 2021, India secured three wins by margins of seven wickets, eight runs and 36 runs, while also suffering two defeats by eight wickets each.

The dominant 168-run win over New Zealand on February 1, 2023 highlighted India’s ability to produce commanding performances at this venue. More recently, India defeated the Netherlands by 17 runs on February 18, 2026 but lost to South Africa by 76 runs four days later. Another notable victory came on December 19, 2025 when India beat South Africa by 30 runs at the same ground.

On the individual front, Virat Kohli tops the list of highest run-scorers for India at the venue. In six matches, he has accumulated 258 runs at an average of 86.00, including three half-centuries.

Shubman Gill holds the record for the highest individual score at the ground. On February 1, 2023 against New Zealand, Gill struck a stunning 126 off 63 balls — the only century recorded at the venue in T20 internationals.

Hardik Pandya has also enjoyed considerable success here. In nine T20 matches, he has scored 227 runs at a strike rate of 160.99 and has smashed 16 sixes, the most by any player at the stadium.

With the ball, Pandya has taken nine wickets in nine matches. His best figures came against New Zealand on February 1, 2023 when he claimed 4 for 16. Both Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy have registered one four-wicket haul each at the venue.

Behind the stumps, Rishabh Pant has effected three dismissals in five matches. In the field, Suryakumar Yadav leads the catching charts with eight catches in seven matches. KL Rahul has recorded two ducks in four T20 matches played here.

The highest partnership at the venue came on December 19, 2025 when Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya put together a 105-run stand for the fourth wicket against South Africa.

Pandya and Washington Sundar have featured in the most matches at the ground among current players, appearing in nine T20 internationals each. As captain, Virat Kohli has led India in five T20 matches at the venue and has guided the side to three victories.

As India prepare to face New Zealand once again in a global final, the numbers at the Narendra Modi Stadium suggest that the ground has often favoured the home side. Whether that advantage holds in the biggest match of the tournament will be known on Sunday night in Ahmedabad.