IND vs NZ T20 World Cup Final: Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy likely to be dropped

Ahead of the blockbuster ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Final scheduled for tomorrow at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, reports suggest that the India national cricket team could make a few surprising changes to their playing XI for the summit clash against the New Zealand national cricket team.

According to multiple media reports, opener Abhishek Sharma could be dropped from the final after struggling for form throughout the tournament. The left-hander has scored only 89 runs in seven matches, including three ducks, raising serious concerns about his place in the team for the crucial encounter.

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Another player whose spot is under scrutiny is mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

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The spinner has taken only a few wickets in recent matches and conceded runs at a high economy rate, prompting discussions within the team management about possible changes in the bowling attack.

Rinku Singh Likely To Replace

If these changes happen, reports suggest that Rinku Singh could come into the playing XI to strengthen the middle order, while either Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar may replace Varun in the spin department.

Meanwhile, Tilak Varma is expected to bat at number three, providing stability in the top order. Reports also indicate that Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan could open the innings for India, especially with Samson enjoying a strong tournament run and playing a key role in India’s semi-final victory.

However, the final playing XI will only be confirmed after the toss, and team management may still stick to the winning combination that helped India reach the final. The highly anticipated clash will decide whether India can successfully defend their T20 World Cup crown.