Patna, March 8: As India gears up for the T20 World Cup final against England at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Sunday, cricket coach Manish Ojha, mentor to young Indian talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi, is bullish on India’s chances. ‘India holds the upper hand and will lift the trophy,’ Ojha declared confidently.
Ojha praised the balanced lineup India showcased in their semi-final triumph over New Zealand. He singled out batsman Sanju Samson for his composed innings, displaying remarkable patience amid falling wickets at the other end. Pace ace Jasprit Bumrah was the hero with the ball, delivering match-winning overs, while opener Ishan Kishan brought firepower to the top order.
‘This final will be a thriller, but India will prevail,’ Ojha predicted. He highlighted Kishan’s resurgence in domestic cricket over the past two years, noting his consistent big scores. ‘With his talent, Ishan will be the game-changer in the powerplay,’ he added.
Samson’s responsibility in the middle order stood out, stabilizing the innings when it mattered most. Lower down, Tilak Varma stepped up effectively, complemented by in-form Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. On bowling, Bumrah remains the trump card, his death-over brilliance sealing the semi-final. ‘Fans will have eyes glued to Bumrah in the final,’ Ojha said, acknowledging Pandya’s contributions despite spin department concerns.
India’s strong total in the semi nearly slipped away as New Zealand mounted a chase, but Bumrah’s clutch performance turned the tide. With overall team balance intact, Ojha sees India dominating England in what promises to be an epic showdown.