T20 World Cup final: ICC unveils umpires for India vs New Zealand showdown in Ahmedabad

India and New Zealand are set to face each other in the final of an ICC event for the second time in as many years. The Men in Blue had defeated the Black Caps in Dubai last year to win the Champions Trophy. Exactly a year later, the two teams lock horns in a grand finale once again, this time in the T20 World Cup.

India and New Zealand qualified for the final on the back of contrasting victories. The Black Caps had inflicted a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat on South Africa at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Wednesday, chasing down a target of 170 in a little over 12 overs.

India, on the other hand, pipped England by just 7 runs at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium despite posting a daunting 253/7 on the board, going past 250 for the second time in three outings.

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Which umpires will be officiating in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad? 

Two days before the mega showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the International Cricket Council unveiled Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf as the on-field umpires for the T20 World Cup between India and New Zealand, with Allahuddien Paleker named the TV umpire. Adrian Holdstock, additionally, has been named the fourth umpire while Andy Pycroft will serve as the match referee.

“Illingworth will take charge of his second consecutive Men’s T20 World Cup Final, having stood alongside Chris Gaffaney in 2024. It continues Illingworth’s impressive recent record of appointments, having also stood in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final and the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Final,” the ICC said in a release.

“He is joined by compatriot Wharf, who will oversee his first senior ICC World Cup Final. Wharf previously stood at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 events before he joined the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires last year. The pair, who were together in the middle for New Zealand’s semi-final victory over South Africa on Wednesday, are supported by third umpire Allahuddien Paleker and fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock, while the match referee is Andy Pycroft.

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“South African Paleker was elevated to the Elite Panel of Umpires alongside Wharf in March 2025 and has stood in six matches during the tournament,” it continued.

India and New Zealand, meanwhile, are the first pair of teams to face each other in the final of an ICC event in all three formats.