NZ Underdogs Ready to Break Indian Hearts

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has embraced the underdog status heading into Sunday's Twenty20 World Cup final against hosts India. The team, seeking their maiden T20 global crown, reached the final after a dominant victory over South Africa.

Santner expressed that New Zealand does not mind being considered underdogs, focusing instead on executing their game plan. He noted that the immense pressure will be on the home team, India, who are defending champions playing in front of a massive Ahmedabad crowd.

The skipper drew parallels to Australia's 2023 one-day World Cup final win at the same venue, stating the goal is to silence the stadium. Santner acknowledged the fickle nature of T20 cricket and believes his team can upset a strong opponent with a solid team performance.

To counter India's potent top order, Santner stressed the need for early breakthroughs and disciplined bowling to restrict scoring. He also praised the squad's depth, citing Cole McConchie's seamless integration into the team after an injury to Michael Bracewell.

Santner urged his side to approach the final with the same mindset as any other game, despite the significant occasion. He highlighted the importance of the entire squad's collective effort in their journey towards potentially lifting the trophy.