New Delhi: The atmosphere ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final has intensified as captains from India and New Zealand exchanged lighthearted remarks during pre-match media interactions.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav jokingly dismissed comments made by New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner about limiting India’s score in the title clash.
Responding to Santner’s statement, Suryakumar said with a smile, “Jhooth bol raha hai,” meaning “he’s lying,” before adding that India would focus on playing according to the match situation rather than setting a fixed scoring target.
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Santner’s Plan to Contain India
Earlier, Santner had said New Zealand would aim to restrict India to around 220 runs if they wanted to remain competitive in the final. The New Zealand captain suggested that preventing India from posting another huge total could give his team a realistic chance in the match.
India had delivered a strong batting performance in the semi-final against England, scoring 253 runs at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
India Focused on Adapting to Conditions
Addressing the media, Suryakumar said that the Indian team does not enter a match with a predetermined target. Instead, players focus on reading the pitch and adjusting their strategy accordingly.
He explained that sometimes the conditions favor aggressive batting, while in other cases the pitch demands a more cautious approach.
The captain added that a score anywhere between 225 and 250 could be competitive, but the final outcome would depend on the surface and match conditions.
Pressure of Playing at Home
Santner also highlighted the pressure India might face while playing the final in front of a home crowd. According to the New Zealand captain, hosting the final often increases expectations and can add extra pressure on the home side. He said his team was excited for the one-match showdown and ready to take on the challenge.
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Echoes of Past Finals
Santner’s remarks reminded many of comments made by Pat Cummins before the 2023 ODI World Cup final, when Australia eventually defeated India.
Suryakumar responded to the comparison with humor, suggesting that captains often repeat similar lines before big matches and encouraging them to come up with something new. With both teams confident and in strong form, the stage is now set for a highly anticipated T20 World Cup final.
