NEW DELHI: An immensely talented and remarkably consistent Indian side will shoulder the hopes of a billion fans as it faces a determined New Zealand in a classic David versus Goliath clash in the T20 World Cup final here on Sunday. On November 19, 2023, the vast amphitheatre known as Narendra Modi Stadium saw a shattered Rohit Sharma slowly climb the dressing room stairs after Australia national cricket team stunned India national cricket team in the ICC Cricket World Cup final. The heartbroken home side and a silent stadium filled with nearly 93,000 spectators have carried that pain ever since. The T20 side partly healed those wounds by winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title in 2024 under Rohit. Now the shortest format team will aim to become the first side to defend the crown under Suryakumar Yadav and also the first to win the prestigious trophy three times. Suryakumar, a street smart cricketer who reflects the famous Mumbai grit, will be eager to carve his own legacy as captain while also putting an end to the lingering agony of November 19, 2023. Suryakumar and his teammates can also draw inspiration from what happened exactly 364 days ago on March 9, 2025. That was the day India defeated a nearly identical New Zealand side in the ICC Champions Trophy in the 50 over format. Suryakumar was not part of that squad but the dominant victory in Dubai can still serve as motivation. Winning a final demands courage but also a slice of luck. It does not always require a perfect performance but the right moments must fall into place at the right time. India practically sealed their semifinal when Harry Brook dropped Sanju Samson. The Men in Blue would not mind a similar lapse from the opposition on Sunday. It would not be unfair to say that from draws to venues to the endless television commercials and social media buzz, this Indian side has enjoyed favourable conditions on its path to the final. If they win, it will simply be a job completed. If they lose, the reaction could be dramatic. As captain, Suryakumar now has a chance to become the first leader to successfully defend a world championship title. He has led the team confidently over the past two years although he has not always delivered with the bat himself, especially in big games against top opposition. One innings on Sunday could transform everything. A decisive knock on what promises to be a warm evening could wipe away every past criticism. But at Motera, India’s favourite stage for major cricketing occasions, they will face one of the most respected teams in world cricket. On their day, players like Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry are capable of punching well above their weight. This New Zealand side carries a familiar look. Yet the most gracious group of players in global cricket can never be taken lightly. Cricketers such as Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips know how to fight the hard way without ever losing their composure. The 'Boom Factor' For the Black Caps, who crushed the tournament’s strongest side South Africa national cricket team in the semifinal, the biggest threat on the day could be the Sardar from Ahmedabad. His name is Jasprit Bumrah. His four overs could once again prove decisive in the final. England national cricket team experienced that challenge firsthand in the semifinal. India’s finest fast bowler has mostly been deployed at the back end of the innings but it will be interesting to see whether he opens the attack against the explosive Allen, who smashed a 33 ball hundred in the semifinal. The new ball lengths from Arshdeep Singh or Hardik Pandya might suit aggressive hitting. Bumrah moving the ball both ways early could therefore trouble the Kiwi batters far more. Still, as Phillips remarked on Friday, “Jasprit Bumrah is also a human. He can have an off day like us.” Abhishek Sharma's flop show Before the tournament began, Abhishek Sharma was the talk of the nation thanks to his explosive batting. At present there are serious questions about whether he deserves a place in the playing eleven. His technical limitations and largely one dimensional approach have been exposed. If he plays the final, off spinner Cole McConchie might be introduced immediately. If he is left out, the middle order could become unusually long and Rinku Singh is also not enjoying the best run of form. Will Kuldeep replace Varun? Another issue India did not anticipate was the repeated struggles of Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery around him appears to have faded and on good batting surfaces he has lacked the deliveries to seriously trouble opponents. Across the cricketing world, teams now seem comfortable playing his incoming balls as off breaks or off cutters. Against New Zealand’s right handed batters he could again face difficulties. Kuldeep Yadav, who has played just one match in the tournament so far, might therefore be a better option as Chakravarthy’s confidence appears to have taken a hit. Teams: India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar. New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Cole McConchie, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Devon Conway, Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi. Match Starts: 7 pm (With PTI Inputs)