![Santner shares special message for fans [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @pratyush_no7/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772956261056_NewZealand.jpg?type=hq)
Santner shares special message for fans [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @pratyush_no7/x]
Mitchell Santner has shared a special message for New Zealand fans ahead of his team’s T20 World Cup 2026 final match against hosts and defending champions India.
The ‘Black Caps’ qualified for the final of the competition by trouncing South Africa in a one-sided semifinal at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens earlier this week.
Notably, the scheduling of the contest is highly inconvenient for fans back in New Zealand, as the 7:00 PM start time on a Sunday in India translates to 2:30 AM on Monday morning there.
Despite the inconvenience and the match coinciding with the start of a regular work and school week, Santner has urged fans back home to rally behind the team against a cricket-crazy nation like India.
Mitchell Santner reminds New Zealand fans of an ‘outnumbered’ final
Prior to the India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 final, ‘Black Caps’ skipper Mitchell Santner has ‘reminded’ his team’s fans back home about the blockbuster showdown at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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The star all-rounder also jokingly acknowledged the fact that New Zealand fans will be highly outnumbered at the iconic Indian venue, that has the seating capacity of over 130,000 spectators.
As shared by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on their official Black Caps social media page, Mitchell Santner said,
“Blackcaps captain Mitch Santner here. Sorry to disturb you on a Sunday. Now, I'm not really one for big speeches or rallying cries. But did want to remind you all about our ICC T20 World Cup Final against India in Ahmedabad on Monday morning (2.30am NZT)."
"It's fair to say we're a bit outnumbered over here - 1.4 billion team India fans and all that. And I'm pretty sure most of the 130,000 seat Narendra Modi Stadium will be cheering for them too. But that's all good - because we know back home you'll have our backs.”
New Zealand captain calls for support despite inconvenient timing
Mitchell Santner also urged New Zealand fans back home to ‘set the alarm’ accordingly and rally around the team, in their homes on television sets, one last time in the tournament.
Acknowledging the inconvenient time zone for New Zealand supporters, the cricketer jokingly added that his fans can “pass” this message to their bosses or teachers if they are late to work or schools on Monday morning.
Santner said, “Although you're not with us - we see the photos, the posts, we hear the stories, and we know about the late nights & early starts. We feel your aroha. We get it the final is super early Monday morning.
"But set your alarm and get around us one more time. And if you're bit late to work or school, please pass on my message to your boss or teachers. Cheers Aotearoa we'll be home soon hopefully with some extra luggage.”
New Zealand chase history in T20 World Cup 2026 final
The New Zealand team will face hosts India in the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, March 8 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
The occasion marks New Zealand’s only second appearance in a T20 World Cup final after losing the 2021 edition of the tournament to Australia in the UAE.
If Mitchell Santner and co. manage to upstage India, New Zealand will become one of the few cricketing nations to concurrently hold both, the Women’s and Men’s T20 World Cups after Australia, West Indies.
A win will also hand New Zealand its only third ICC trophy in men’s cricket, after the 2000 Champions Trophy and the 2021 World Test Championship (WTC). Incidentally, the island country won both those titles by defeating India in the final.
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