Ayodhya Saints Offer Prayers for Indian Team Ahead of T20 World Cup Final

As the Indian cricket team prepares for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand, saints in Ayodhya and other cities are offering special prayers for their success. This final marks a significant moment for India, as they aim to achieve multiple historic milestones. With contrasting paths leading to the final, both teams are set for an exciting showdown. Read on to discover more about the squads and the significance of this match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 8, 2026, 09:41 IST

Special Prayers for the Indian Cricket Team

On Sunday, saints in Ayodhya conducted special prayers for the Indian cricket team as they gear up to face New Zealand in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The sages, holding posters of the Indian players and the national flag, chanted mantras and performed havan to wish the team good luck.

Similar Scenes Across Cities

Similar displays of support were observed in Kanpur and Varanasi, where local residents also offered prayers for the team. In Varanasi, children from cricket academies participated in the havans, while in Kanpur, residents engaged in auspicious rituals in anticipation of the crucial match.

A Final of Firsts for India

As India approaches the final, they are on the brink of achieving several milestones: becoming the first team to defend a T20 World Cup title, the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup, and the first team to secure three T20 World Cup championships.

Path to the Final

New Zealand faces significant challenges, particularly in containing India's formidable batting lineup and dealing with Jasprit Bumrah's precise bowling. Both teams reached the final after impressive performances in the semi-finals. New Zealand, despite earlier losses to South Africa and England, dominated in the semi-final, restricting South Africa to 169/8 and winning by nine wickets, thanks to Finn Allen's record-breaking 33-ball century. India, on the other hand, had a flawless group stage, with their only setback being a loss to South Africa in the Super Eights. In their semi-final against England, India scored 253/7, narrowly defeating England by seven runs.

Head-to-Head Record

Historically, New Zealand has had the upper hand in T20 World Cup encounters, having defeated India in 2007, 2016, and 2021. However, India recently showcased their strength in a T20I series, winning comfortably with a 4-1 margin.

Squads

New Zealand Squad

Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

India Squad

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav.