Five key match-ups to watch at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final

The 10th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final is just hours away.

New Zealand, who were emphatic in their semi-final victory over South Africa, meet defending champions and hosts India.

Doing enough to get through a tough Group D, New Zealand edged out Pakistan on net run rate in Group 2 of the Super Eights, before their stunning semi-final chase against the Proteas.

India, whose only defeat came at the hands of the South Africans in the Super Eights, have since hit their straps, most notably with their emphatic batting effort in their semi-final against England.

We examine five key match-ups that could decide the clash on March 8.

Matt Henry v India's openers

There's no doubt Matt Henry is now considered New Zealand's pace spearhead and the in-form right-armer will be keen to make early inroads when the Black Caps have the ball.

Henry has had an interrupted T20 World Cup campaign having headed back to New Zealand for the birth of his second child, but the 34-year-old didn't miss a beat when he claimed 2/34 in the victory over South Africa in the semi-finals.

While both those scalps came at the death, Henry will fancy his chances against Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson given both India openers will try and attack right from the outset.

If Henry can make inroads then this will go a long way in helping New Zealand to a first Men's T20 World Cup title.

Mitch Santner v Suryakumar Yadav

The battle between the opposing skippers will be intriguing in Ahmedabad, with Mitch Santner having dismissed his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav on three occasions in the past.

Santner also has a strong record for the Black Caps against India at previous T20 World Cups, having played in both their recent victories with a four-wicket haul and Player of the Match performance in their meeting at the 2016 edition the highlight.

If India lose early wickets and Suryakumar strides to the crease, expect Santner to bring himself into the attack almost immediately.

Arshdeep Singh v Finn Allen and Tim Seifert

New Zealand's in-form openers put on 117 for the first wicket in their semi-final victory over South Africa and a similar partnership in the title decider could easily set the Black Caps on the way to victory.

India pacer Arshdeep Singh will try and claim early wickets, with the left-armer's ability to swing the new-ball crucial against Allen and Seifert.

It's interesting to note that Arshdeep finished as the leading wicket-taker during India's recent T20I series just prior to the T20 World Cup, so the underrated seamer will fancy his chances against the Kiwis.

India's left-handers v Cole McConchie

McConchie was pivotal for New Zealand in their victory over the Proteas in the semis, with the off-spinner claiming two wickets in his only over that helped set the tone early in the match.

Both those scalps were of South African left-handers (Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton) and the New Zealand right-armer will likely get the chance to do similar against India southpaws Abhishek Sharma and even Ishan Kishan if the opportunity arises.

T20 World Cup finals can often see unlikely heroes (think Craig Kieswetter in 2010 or England compatriot Sam Curran in 2022) and McConchie might just be ready to be a match-winner for the Black Caps.

Jasprit Bumrah at the death v New Zealand’s lower order

Jasprit Bumrah remains one of the premier pace bowlers in white-ball cricket, but the right-armer has been expensive at the death in some matches in recent times and could be an area the Kiwis look to expose.

The West Indies' middle to lower-order took a liking late to Bumrah during a Super Eights clash at the T20 World Cup, while Daryl Mitchell got a hold of the India seamer during the recent bilateral series.

It was Bumrah that delivered at the death against the Proteas in the final of the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, so his bowling in the final overs is sure to play a big role in deciding who comes out on top.