IND vs NZ: T20 World Cup 2026 final set to be played on mixed-soil pitch in Ahmedabad

A mixed-soil surface, combining red and black soil, is set to be used for the Men’s T20 World Cup final between co-host India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Sports stars understands that Pitch No. 6 on the centre square has been shortlisted by local curators, in consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC), for the title clash. South Africa had defeated Canada in the only previous match on the surface in this tournament.

Officials are confident the strip will provide a “true” surface for the contest.

The ICC had shortlisted four pitches on the centre block for the tournament, with at least one match having already been played on each of them.

New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips, however, said the visitors were not overly concerned about the nature of the pitch.

“Obviously, things are going around about pitches being too batter-friendly and things like that, but it’s an entertaining brand of cricket that we want to play,” Phillips said on Friday evening after New Zealand’s training session at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

“The pitches at different stadiums play each time differently, so whatever we see tomorrow, we will try to adapt to. If that means lots of runs, then that means lots of runs, but if it means it’s going to be a little bit of a scrap, we are up for that as well.”

After beginning the tournament on relatively slower surfaces, India’s preference for flatter pitches offering true bounce has largely been met since the Super Eight stage.

The Motera surface had previously come under scrutiny ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, when India opted for a change in pitch for the title clash against Australia—a decision that backfired as the host lost the match. The surface was subsequently rated “average” by the match adjudicators.