Ahmedabad, March 8 (NationPress) The final of the T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed a remarkable presence, including Kapil Dev, the president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and a legendary former captain of the Indian cricket team. He was accompanied by Amandeep Johl, the CEO of PGTI, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Kapil Dev, who famously guided India to its first ODI World Cup triumph in 1983, is often credited with igniting a cricketing revolution in the nation, wherein the sport has become a near-religious pursuit.

Also present was Union Home Minister Amit Shah together with his family, including his son Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council, along with his wife, daughter-in-law, and grandson.

In a heartwarming moment, cricketing icons MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma unveiled the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup trophy, eliciting an eruption of cheers from the packed stadium. Dhoni, who led India to victory in the inaugural 2007 edition, joined forces with Rohit, who captained the team to glory in 2024.

Other notable figures included Jay Shah, serving as the ambassador for the tournament, and Uday Shankar, vice-chairman of JioStar, who also participated in the trophy presentation prior to the national anthems of both competing teams.

The Indian national anthem was beautifully performed by legendary playback singer Kavitha Krishnamurthy. As the match commenced, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl first against the defending champions, India.

New Zealand made a strategic change by bringing in pacer Jacob Duffy in place of off-spin all-rounder Cole McConchie. Meanwhile, India maintained the same lineup that secured a narrow seven-run victory over England in the semi-finals held at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

The pre-final closing ceremony showcased a vibrant performance by global pop sensation Ricky Martin, who thrilled the audience with hits like "Livin' la Vida Loca," wrapping up his set with "María" and "La Copa de la Vida," which captivated the crowd.

Indian artists Sukhbir Singh and Falguni Pathak also entertained the audience during the closing ceremony, with Sukhbir performing his well-loved Punjabi hits, including "Oh Ho Ho Ho,” while Falguni, affectionately known as the Dandiya Queen, dazzled the audience with a mix of Gujarati folk and Bollywood melodies.

This final is the climax of a 20-team tournament, where India has shown exceptional prowess following a setback against South Africa, losing by 76 runs in Ahmedabad. New Zealand, aiming for their first Men's T20 World Cup title, is in their second final appearance.