India Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand- Final, T20 World Cup 2026: Kuldeep Yadav In For Varun Chakaravarthy?

India predicted playing XI for T20 World Cup final [Source: AFP]

The stage is set as India will take on New Zealand in a much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday. It will be the repeat of the Champions Trophy finale from last year as the two best sides will lock horns to be crowned the T20 World champions.

The Indian side has witnessed a topsy-turvy tournament as they overcame the odds to reach the semis, and then survived a late Jacob Bethell scare to make it to their second successive finale in the T20 World Cups. The Indian batting was on point as they amassed 253 against England, and the bowlers did just enough to clinch the game.

However, despite winning a run-feast at the Wankhede Stadium, there are quite a few chinks in the Indian armour as they head towards the finale on Sunday. The bowlers lacked the cutting-edge, and perhaps, the team could spring a surprise by making a key change in the playing XI.

Here is how the Indian team could lineup for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against the Kiwis.

India Probable Playing XI Vs New Zealand- T20 World Cup 2026

Openers and top order: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan

On paper, Abhishek Sharma should be dropped from the India Playing XI vs New Zealand for the all-important finals, as the southpaw has scored less than 100 runs in the World Cup, and his technique has been exposed in every game. However, India have backed him for eight matches in a row, and don’t expect any change at the top for the finals.

Alongside him, Sanju Samson will continue to don the openers’ role. The Kerala batter has been a revelation for India in this World Cup, as the opener has been awarded the Man of the Match in the last two matches.

While Abhishek has struggled for runs, Samson has taken his aggressive mantle forward, as it was Samson who decimated both West Indies and England in two back-to-back knockouts.

Samson might hog all the limelight after his England exploits, but Ishan Kishan also deserves the praise for his counter-attacking knock against them. He will once again be the key batter the India Playing XI vs New Zealand, especially against the Kiwis, who might use a couple of spinners at the top.

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Middle order and all-rounders: Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel

India’s middle order weaved magic against England as barring Suryakumar Yadav, everyone else delivered the goods in a high-scoring game. The middle-order will also remain unchanged, unless an injury takes place.

The entry point of the batters is not decided as each batter will be used according to the match situation. However, Suryakumar is likely to bat at 4, with others rotating, depending on the circumstances.

So, in all likelihood the India Playing XI vs New Zealand will be, SKY at 4, Shivam Dube at 5, Hardik Pandya at 6, Tilak Varma at 7, and Axar Patel at 8.

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

Unless an injury takes place, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah will be the front-line seamers against the Kiwis. Both pacers have done well in the tournament and will be the key weapons for India in the finals.

However, the big question arises: what should be done with Varun Chakaravarthy? In the last four matches, opposition batters have taken him down easily, and against England, he conceded 64 runs in four overs. On paper, he has been out of touch, and there is Kuldeep Yadav waiting in the wings.

New Zealand will come prepared for Chakaravarthy, and India could spring a surprise by including Kuldeep in the the India Playing XI vs New Zealand. However, just like Abhishek, the management has backed the Tamil Nadu spinner in the World Cup, and they will once again instill trust in him for the big final.

India playing XI Vs New Zealand- Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

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