Explained : India set for New Zealand clash in T20 final and Its Impact

Defending champion and co-host India will play New Zealand later today in Ahmedabad, hoping to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for the third time. 

The match will begin at 7pm IST (13:30 GMT) at India’s largest stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium. It can hold over 130,000 fans, some of whom have traveled across the country to witness the action. Hundreds of millions more are expected to tun in on television. 

For the Indian cricket team, expectations are sky high. 

“There will definitely be pressure and nerves, especially playing in India and going for the title,” said Suryakumar Yadav, captain of the Indian team, after the team’s nerve-shredding seven-run win over England in the semifinal. “But the boys and the whole support staff are excited as well,” he said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted snapshots of Team India’s final practice before the big night. 

India had to win three consecutive knockouts to reach the final after suffering a massive defeat to South Africa earlier in the tournament.

But for India and its fans, there’s added pressure. 

The match in Ahmedabad brings back memories for millions of a Cricket World Cup final lost to Australia two years ago. 

After India’s win over England in the semifinal game, social media was flooded with reels of fans recalling the heartbreak.

It remains to be seen if the cricket team can redeem that loss and heal that heartbreak for Indian fans.