Fact Check- Will India Use Different Dressing Room In T20 World Cup Final Spooked By 2023 World Cup Final?

India will play 2nd ICC final in Ahmedabad [Source: ICC, BCCI/X.com]

India is set to return to the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, to play another ICC event final as they take on New Zealand on Sunday, March 8, in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. 

While India head into the match as the favourites, the conversations have been around the World Cup 2023 final, which they lost at the same venue to Australia.

In the lead-up to the high-octane India vs New Zealand clash, it was reported that India opted out of using the same hotel, which they used in the 2023 final and found a new home at ITC Narmada. 

As the new claims of changing the home dressing room circulate a day ahead of the fixture, we take a look at whether India will change their dressing room for the final.

Fact Check: Will India change the home dressing room vs New Zealand?

The venue for the big game against the Kiwis brings haunted memories for the Indian fans after how India dominated the World Cup 2023 and lost the final in Ahmedabad. 

Moreover, despite playing some of the best T20I cricket in the two-year cycle, the only match they dropped in this tournament also came at the same place against South Africa.

While India postponed their practice session due to a lunar eclipse a couple of days ahead of the semi-final and changed their hotel in Ahmedabad, it is confirmed that there will be no last-minute logistical changes in the final. 

The Indian camp will stay in the home dressing room against the Blackcaps, which is the same one that they used in 2023.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Set To Drop Out-Of-Form India Player In T20 World Cup Final Vs New Zealand

India to avoid World Cup 2023 final pitch vs New Zealand

Another cause of concern for India in the final was whether the dreaded black soil pitch would be used once again on the big day against New Zealand. However, as confirmed by Mitchell Santner in the captain’s presser, it will be a mixed-soil strip which will be used in the final of the T20 World Cup.

When India last played an ICC event final here against Australia in 2023, the ICC had used a black soil wicket, which eased out as the match progressed. Similarly, the loss against the Proteas also came on the same pitch.

As called by Santner, it will be a true wicket and a lot of runs are expected to be scored on Sunday night.

How has India performed in Ahmedabad?

The Narendra Modi Stadium, previously known as Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, was reinaugurated in 2021. Since the new stadium was built, India has played 9 T20Is and won 6 of them. Two losses came against England in 2021 and one against the Proteas earlier in the tournament.

They have played 6 ODIs at the venue and won five. The only loss came against Australia in the aforementioned final in 2023. In red-ball cricket, they have won three Tests and drawn one — two of the three matches were won by an innings.

On Sunday, they will have a golden opportunity to lift their first trophy in the biggest cricket stadium in the world and put behind the disappointment of the 2023 final and start afresh.

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