Ahmedabad, March 8: As India gear up to face New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, expectations are soaring across the country. Several key players, including Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, are expected to play pivotal roles as India aim to secure the coveted title.
Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, coaches and family members of Indian cricketers have expressed confidence in the team's chances while sharing their hopes for standout performances from the star players.

Ishan Kishan's coach Uttam Mazumdar urged the wicketkeeper-batter to step up and deliver a memorable performance in the final. "I want to tell Ishan just one thing - today he has to play for the country. He has to hit a century. Team India has to give its 200 percent," Mazumdar said, quoted ANI.
He also praised Kishan's aggressive batting style, highlighting his ability to dominate bowlers with powerful strokes. "Ishan Kishan is special for his pull shots and power-hitting shots. Surya must also give his best, and so should all the bowlers. We will not just win today, we will win with a significant margin," he added.
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan's grandfather Anurag Pandey also shared his hopes for the young cricketer ahead of the mega final. "We wish that he plays well and at least scores 100 runs. We hope the entire Indian team performs well and brings the trophy home," he said.
Hardik Pandya's childhood coach Ajay Pawar spoke about the all-rounder's journey and development as a cricketer. He praised Pandya's talent and highlighted his ability to influence matches with both bat and ball, making him a crucial player for India in big games.
The childhood coach of India captain Suryakumar Yadav, Ashok Aswalkar, also expressed strong confidence in Team India's chances in the final. He said the entire squad would contribute to the victory and praised Suryakumar's ability to handle the pressure of captaincy.
Aswalkar also hoped that Abhishek Sharma, who has struggled for runs in recent matches, would step up and deliver an important performance in the title clash.
India head into the final with a powerful lineup and high momentum, while New Zealand will look to challenge them in what promises to be a thrilling contest. With match-winners like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya in the side, the Men in Blue will aim to produce a complete performance and bring the T20 World Cup trophy home.