Haunted By 2023 Loss, India Take Drastic Step Before T20 World Cup Final In Ahmedabad

Team India gets superstitious ahead of T20 World Cup final [Source: @VVSLaxman281/X.com]

Team India is set to face New Zealand in the ultimate final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on March 8 at the infamous Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, this time, the men in blue are opting for a superstitious approach.

India beat England by just 7 runs in a run-fest semi-final held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, with the final now scheduled in Ahmedabad, the hosts’ 2023 wounds are reopening.

Team India Switch Hotel Before T20 World Cup Final vs New Zealand

According to journalist Vimal Kumar, Team India have opted to switch hotels before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand. 

This is directly related to the painful defeat in the ICC ODI World Cup final 2023, when India lost to Australia at the same stadium.

That year, the hosts had stayed at ITC Narmada during that tournament, and the loss created a sense of psychological baggage around the venue.

To avoid reminders of that defeat, the team reportedly decided to stay somewhere else for the T20 World Cup final.

Instead of ITC Narmada, India are expected to stay at Taj Skyline. Apart from the psychological factor, another practical reason for the hotel switch is that New Zealand, the first team to qualify for the final, were already allocated ITC Narmada by the ICC. So India had to move elsewhere anyway.

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India highly focused on superstition 

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time India have opted for a superstitious approach in this tournament. Before the semi-final in Mumbai, the team delayed its practice session due to a lunar eclipse.

These things are not uncommon in cricket, where players and teams often follow routines or beliefs for confidence. Moreover, with such a big tournament at stake, superstition often takes a front seat.

Overall, India are trying to enter the ICC T20 World Cup final with a fresh mindset, distancing itself from the painful memories of the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same venue. 

Jasprit Bumrah sealed India’s final berth

Meanwhile, during the second semi-final at Mumbai, India slipped heavily while defending 254 runs. Jacob Bethell hit 105 off 48 balls to keep England alive in the chase. 

However, India’s trump card, Jasprit Bumrah, turned out to be the ultimate difference maker. He conceded 14 runs in his last 2 overs at the death and switched momentum.

England eventually fell short of just 7 runs as India booked their final berth against New Zealand.

If it hadn't been for Bumrah, India would have registered an embarrassing defeat and been eliminated from the tournament.

Now, India have landed in Ahmedabad safely for the final against another arch-rival, New Zealand, which is scheduled on March 8 at 7:00 PM IST.

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