Ahmedabad is getting ready for the India vs New Zealand final. Shoaib Akhtar and Mitchell Santner believe India is under pressure. Gautam Gambhir is lauded for critical decision-making. New Zealand plays down Jasprit Bumrah’s greatness. Is ICC showing bias? And will India continue with Varun Chakaravarthy?

Not worried about Varun

India isn’t worried about Varun Chakaravarthy’s form or performance. Ahead of the T20 World Cup final, captain Suryakumar Yadav stated that the goal has been winning matches, which India has managed to do. He added that the management will be back and believes Varun can win the final for them.

Prices soar high in Ahmedabad

Business is booming because of the India vs New Zealand final. Air India and Akasa Air have announced special flights for Ahmedabad. Knowing the demand is high, the prices for these flights have gone up. The prices for hotels have gone up by 300 to 400%. Police are bracing themselves as well. Traffic restrictions will begin at 10 am on March 8 and last until midnight for smooth conduct.

Santner’s silent wish

The pressure is on India for the T20 World Cup final. Shoaib Akhtar and Mitchell Santner both believe that. The New Zealand captain wants to silence the crowd in Ahmedabad. Pat Cummins had something similar before the 2023 World Cup final, and we all know how that went. Suryakumar Yadav was asked about Santner’s comment but stated he was unbothered.

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Gambhir fought everyone for Samson

Shoaib Akhtar has lauded India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir for bringing Sanju Samson back into the team. The former Pakistan fast bowler stated that Gambhir fought everyone to play Samson after Shubman Gill was picked over him as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner.

ICC biased?

Michael Vaughan and Quinton de Kock have criticised the ICC for preferential treatment. The West Indies have been stuck in India since March 1 and South Africa since March 4, but it was England that returned home earlier. Vaughan and de Kock both alleged the ICC was showing bias to the stronger cricket board.

Bumrah, ‘just human’

Before the T20 World Cup final, New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips played down the Jasprit Bumrah threat. Phillips stated that Bumrah, just like others, is a human. He can have a bad day at the office. He also shared that New Zealand won’t play him like England did, perhaps suggesting they’ll attack him more.