India and New Zealand will square off in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
Amid controversy over India’s influence on pitch preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand, fresh details emerge that the surface for the title clash was pre-decided.
According to a TOI report, the BCCI did not ask for a mixed-soil pitch as the Men in Blue aim to defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil.
The report further claimed the surface for the final in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium had already been decided to take place at the centre wicket on which only one game has been held in the entire tournament so far.
This come after a section of social media users raised concerns that ICC was allowing BCCI to choose pitch for the final.
Earlier, The Indian Express reported that a mixed-soil pitch was being prepared for the final of the T20 World Cup after taking lessons from the 2023 ODI World Cup final where India were outclassed by Australia on a sluggish wicket.
The report also stated that India’s team management was not happy with some of the pitches offered during the league games. It was one of the reasons the Indian board had decided to send its staff to discuss the pitch with local curators in Ahmedabad.
Ever since the report has surfaced, several netizens have been targetting the ICC for allowing to dictate terms when it comes to pitch preparations during a global event.
Only one game at this T20 World Cup – South Africa vs Canada on February 9 -- has been played so far on the surface due to be used in the final. In that match, the Proteas emerged victorious by 53 runs after posting 213 on the board.