New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) India is set to ignore its historical defeats in ICC matches held in Ahmedabad and will harness the energy of a supportive home crowd as they aim for an unprecedented third Men’s T20 World Cup title against New Zealand, according to former Blackcaps cricketer Simon Doull.

The concerning history of India's performances in Ahmedabad adds another layer of suspense leading up to the final scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Their last two white-ball defeats in ICC events took place at this venue – a six-wicket loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, followed by a 76-run defeat against South Africa earlier in the current tournament’s Super Eights.

“I believe Ahmedabad is not a psychological hurdle for India. They will capitalize on the atmosphere and focus on the support from the crowd rather than their past losses. I doubt this will affect them in any way,” Doull remarked.

“It's likely only the media or perhaps the New Zealanders who might try to remind India of this. However, India will enter the match with immense confidence from the expected turnout of over 100,000 fans cheering for them, overshadowing any few New Zealand supporters.”

“New Zealand will not aim to exploit any supposed venue challenges facing India, as I don't believe there are any. They will concentrate on delivering their best performance and hope it's enough against a strong Indian team,” Doull shared in an exclusive interview with IANS on the eve of the final.

As defending champions, India has already made history by being the first team to reach the T20 World Cup final in consecutive editions. A win on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium would position them as the first team to claim back-to-back titles, the first host nation to win the trophy, and the first to secure three Men’s T20 World Cup victories.

However, challenges loom large - India has never triumphed over New Zealand in a Men’s T20 World Cup match, suffering defeats in all three previous encounters, despite leading with an 18-11 record in overall T20Is. Doull acknowledged India's impressive overall strength but noted that the burden of expectation would rest more heavily on their shoulders compared to New Zealand.

“This Indian unit is exceptional. They have every aspect covered, from their pace attack with Arshdeep and Bumrah, supported well by Hardik. Their spin department is outstanding; they possess a wealth of batting talent and depth that any team would envy. I believe they carry more pressure. If you ask a hundred people, around 95 would predict India winning the final,” he explained.

“New Zealand, on the other hand, faces no pressure. They will undoubtedly have faith in their abilities, believing they can overcome India. Statistically, if they played ten matches, India might win seven. New Zealand just needs to hope that one of those victories occurs in this final,” he elaborated.

Doull, who has provided commentary on numerous matches in India, expressed that the current Indian squad thrives under the pressure generated by a home final. “However, New Zealand must perform at their peak. If they do everything right with both bat and ball and still come up short, they should hold their heads high. That’s all you can demand from any team. If they’re outperformed by a better side on the day, it’s simply part of the sport we cherish. There will be pressure on India, but many of these modern players excel when faced with it.”

“They thrive on engaging with the crowd and stepping up for significant occasions. I don't foresee them crumbling under the immense pressure associated with cricket and the juggernaut that is Indian cricket. Let’s hope for an exhilarating match, and may the best team lift the trophy,” he added.

New Zealand, who have experienced four losses in ICC finals since 2015, approach the match as underdogs. However, Doull believes their team-first mentality and enhanced preparations compared to past tournaments provide them with a genuine opportunity to claim the trophy.

“Many of these players have participated in semi-finals and finals, which will be advantageous for the senior members of the team. Can they defeat India on their home turf? It's going to be incredibly challenging, and India will undoubtedly be the favorites,” he stated.

“Nonetheless, New Zealand consistently finds ways to play cohesively as a team, as evidenced in tournament formats over the years. They are well-prepared this time around. I was particularly critical of their preparations for the previous T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, but this time everything has been meticulously arranged,” he concluded.

Only two nations have ever held both the men’s and women’s T20 World Cup titles simultaneously – West Indies and Australia. New Zealand now has the chance to become the third team to achieve this remarkable feat if they win on Sunday.

Doull, who played 32 Tests and 42 ODIs for New Zealand, noted that the bilateral series against India prior to the T20 World Cup, despite ending in a 4-1 loss, was invaluable for the team.

“That series against India was beneficial, even without their full-strength lineup. The experience of playing in India and against such formidable opponents will serve the players well as they progress through the tournament,” he remarked.

“There’s no reason for them not to enter the final with confidence in their ability to beat India. They will not approach the game thinking they need India to falter; if New Zealand performs at their best, as they have shown at various points during the tournament, they can certainly secure a victory. Do they start as favorites? Absolutely not.”