Tim Seifert struck a quickfire 65 to help New Zealand chase down 183 in just 17.5 overs and outplay Afghanistan by 5 wickets in their T20 opener in Chennai on Sunday.
Abhishek Sharma's pyrotechnics followed a now familiar script with India out-batting New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20 International in Nagpur on Wednesday.
'The atmosphere he has created in the team -- he has tried to infuse a culture of playing for the team and not focusing on personal milestones.'
Indian men's cricket team players took to their respective social media handles to celebrate the team's T20 World Cup 2026 victory as the Suryakumar Yadav-led team defeated New Zealand in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
Mitchell Santner played through the pain barrier as New Zealand secured their maiden series win in India going back to 1955 and the left-arm spinner said picking up wickets regularly in the second test had helped him persevere.
Kane Williamson has decided to skip the three-match ODI series to focus on the Test series against the West Indies next month.
Ishan Kishan's thrill-a-second maiden T20I hundred compensated for Sanju Samson's familiar failure, and the knock in conjunction with Arshdeep Singh's fifer scripted India's 46-run romp over New Zealand in the fifth and final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
Mumbai Indians will begin their quest to end a five-year title drought in the Indian Premier League against a depleted Kolkata Knight Riders side.
New Zealand will aim to secure their spot in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup when they face Canada, while also looking to address weaknesses exposed in their previous match against South Africa.
Mumbai Indians' head coach Mahela Jayawardene praises Rohit Sharma's improved fitness and commitment ahead of IPL 2026, while also highlighting Suryakumar Yadav's leadership and Jasprit Bumrah's work ethic.
About playing India in the final group game on Sunday in Dubai, he said, 'It will be a different challenge on a different surface. Might be slower.'
Opener Sanju Samson once again failed to get back among the runs, as he was dismissed for 24 from 15 balls in the fourth T20I against New Zealand.
Yuvraj Samra, 19, is the youngest batter to score a century in T20 World Cup, during the match against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Finn Allen's blistering century led New Zealand to a stunning nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup.
Mitchell Santner believes that putting Rohit Sharma's side under pressure in that encounter gave his team the confidence for their upcoming summit clash on Sunday.
South Africa beat New Zealand by seven wickets in T20 World Cup game in Ahmedabad.
Even as the focus remains on the T20 World Cup which is less than a month away, Kohli and Rohit will hog the limelight in the three ODIs over the next seven days.
It has been a year since I have been dreaming of this time: Surya on Player of Series show
Yuzvendra Chahal says Sanju Samson can have no excuses after repeated T20I failures, with Ishan Kishan's form putting pressure on the opener ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
A spectacular seven-wicket haul by Mitchell Santner helped New Zealand dismiss India for 156 before the tourists reached 198-5 at stumps on day two of the second test in Pune on Friday to tighten their grip on the three-match series.
Kolkata's 'Knight Rider' Allen blows away South Africa, takes NZ into final
Kane Williamson was included in the New Zealand squad for December's three-Test series against West Indies.
'We were 20 or 25 under to what we were looking for.'
India's recent T20 World Cup victory signals a new era of dominance in the format, driven by strategic gameplay, exceptional talent, and the financial power of the BCCI, while other teams struggle to compete.
Suryakumar Yadav's doughty 73 not out proved to be the difference as Mumbai Indians sealed the fourth and final play-off berth with a 59-run trouncing of Delhi Capitals.
Opener Abhishek Sharma's explosive unbeaten 68 off 20 balls set up a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against New Zealand.in the third match in Guwahati
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of T20 World Cup 2026.
Mitchell Santner, etched his name alongside the legendary Daniel Vettori in the annals of cricket history
All New Zealand batters got starts but couldn't go on to capitalise on them. Will Jacks and Adil Rashid got two wickets a piece for England.
Kyle Jamieson also returns to the squad after back surgery in February in a pace attack which includes captain Tim Southee and Matt Henry, who has recovered from injury.
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell on Tuesday said it would be "silly to underestimate" Indian batting superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and backed the stalwarts to play next year's ODI World Cup.
New Zealand's Matt Henry experienced a week of highs and lows, from witnessing the birth of his son to delivering a match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner praised centurions Will Young and Tom Latham for their crucial contributions in the team's emphatic 60-run victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy opener.
Walking in with the run rate climbing, Shivam Dube launched a stunning counterattack that briefly swung the momentum in India's favour.
Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks' rapid 44-run partnership turned the game as England chased down a target of 160 with three balls to spare and beat New Zealand by four wickets in the T20 World Cup Super Eights in Colombo on Friday.
Ravindra, Conway pave the way as New Zealand clinch ODI series against West Indies
Blair Tickner took 4/34 and Daryl Mitchell hit 56 not out as New Zealand beat England by five wickets in the second one-day international in Hamilton on Wednesday to seal the three-match series 2-0.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday?
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances