Ahmedabad, March 6 (NationPress) New Zealand’s allrounder Glenn Phillips expressed that his team often finds itself in the role of 'David' when pitted against cricketing powerhouses like India. He emphasized their commitment to giving their utmost for their nation during the final of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, set to occur at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Sunday.

Despite being a small nation of 5.5 million, New Zealand has made it to the championship match against the hosts, who boast a talent pool large enough to form multiple competitive teams. "We're frequently overlooked, often not even considered semifinal contenders, yet we consistently make it there. Hence, we are always the underdogs. This situation implies that only one team is destined to fall short, right? Our focus is to step onto the field and relish the experience," stated Phillips.

“As a cohesive group, we truly enjoy each other's company. We strive to perform our best for our country. The atmosphere of a packed crowd is exhilarating. We play for the enjoyment of the audience, whether they support us or cheer for India—it's a win for cricket overall," Phillips conveyed to reporters prior to the team’s training session on Friday.

The thrilling final is anticipated to feature New Zealand's batsmen facing off against India's wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who has shown some inconsistency lately. "Having faced him several times before is advantageous," said Phillips.

“He's undeniably a remarkable bowler, and our strategy will be to confront each delivery as it comes. He is entitled to have a good day, just as we are entitled to ours, and we’ll see how it unfolds," Phillips added.

Phillips acknowledged the prowess of Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, particularly after his decisive overs helped India secure a narrow victory over England in the semi-final in Mumbai. "We had a solid outing against him in the bilateral series. Bumrah is a world-class bowler with a myriad of variations, and he excels in executing block-hole deliveries during crucial moments," he noted.

“The approach the England team took was to stretch their innings, giving themselves the maximum chance possible, which is a valid tactic. However, he is human and can have a poor day, just like the rest of us. We hope to have a favorable day against him," he remarked.

Phillips emphasized the importance of capitalizing on any loose deliveries from Bumrah. "It’s not a guarantee, as bowlers can miss their marks. If he does, we must take advantage. Conversely, if he bowls well, we need to adapt accordingly," he explained.

The previous night’s semifinal between India and England, a high-scoring encounter, sparked conversations about batter-friendly pitches. Phillips mentioned that New Zealand is prepared for whatever conditions they may encounter during the final. "Last night was an incredible match. It was thrilling to witness, and beneficial for cricket. There are ongoing discussions about pitches being overly favorable for batters, but I believe it contributes to an entertaining brand of cricket, with each stadium offering its unique playing surface," he said.

"Regardless of what we face, we aim to adjust accordingly. If high scores are the outcome, we welcome that, but if it turns into a tough contest, we’re ready for that too," he added.

Dew is anticipated to play a role in the match, though there are plans for chemical spraying to mitigate its impact. New Zealand gained valuable experience regarding dew during their nine-wicket semi-final victory over South Africa in Kolkata, where they successfully chased down 170 runs, thanks to Finn Allen's record-breaking 33-ball century.

"Our experience in Kolkata taught us a lot about dealing with dew. We were fortunate to win the toss there and managed to chase down 170 runs in a limited number of overs, which was remarkable. The top-order batsmen are accustomed to playing at high strike rates, and the Indian players are similar in that regard," Phillips said.

“Dew is always a consideration here in India at this time of year. Whether the chemicals are effective or if dew will be a significant factor, we need to be prepared to adapt, regardless of whether we bat first or bowl second. We aim to execute our skills to the best of our ability, whether handling a wet or dry ball. There are no excuses," he concluded.

Phillips noted that New Zealand's path to the final, despite a setback against England in the Super Eights, has been a collaborative effort, highlighting the key contributions of Allen and Tim Seifert in the semi-final.

"We are quite pleased with our performance. Sure, we faced a minor setback against England, but the way the boys responded against South Africa was commendable. It's all about taking one match at a time in knockout tournaments," he stated.

"In knockout competitions, fortune tends to favor those who show up ready to play. Finn’s performance the other day was outstanding, and alongside Seifert, our bowlers executed their roles exceptionally well. It's a one-off game again, which is exhilarating, and we aim to adapt as best as we can," he added.

When discussing the challenge of competing against a cricketing giant on their home turf before a crowd of 130,000, Phillips asserted that the disparity in resources has never deterred New Zealand and wouldn’t in their pursuit of clinching their first Men's T20 World Cup. "At the end of the day, cricket is cricket. Everyone strives for the same goal and aims to perform at their best for their respective teams," he said.

"We may have a smaller population, limiting our selection pool, which necessitates a focused high-performance program tailored to our demographics. The talent emerging from India is extraordinary; they could field three teams that would equally contend in this World Cup. Competing on a global stage with our smaller population is remarkable, and it all comes down to our team culture, preparation, and commitment to excelling in the details," he concluded.