Finn Allen was given a reprieve by Shivam Dube as the star all-rounder dropped a catch in the deep during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium
in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The incident occurred on the fifth ball of the first over when Arshdeep Singh bowled a fuller length on off, with the ball moving away. The Indian pacer appeared to take pace off the ball. Finn tried to loft it away, but his bat turned in his hands, causing him to mistime the shot. The ball went high into the air as Shivam backpedalled at mid-off, settled under it, and tried to catch it with a reverse cup, but the ball burst through his hands and dropped to the ground.
The New Zealand batter had not scored a run yet.
The damage was minimal as Axar Patel came to bowl in the third over and dismissed Allen, with Tilak Varma holding on to a catch at long-on for just nine runs.
The spinner bowled it short and on middle, with the ball angling in. Allen tried to move back and pull it, but did not get enough room to free his arms. He ended up hitting it much straighter and down the throat of long-on.
Need a breakthrough? Call #AxarPatel 🔥
Massive wicket as the dangerous Finn Allen departs for just 9(7) 👏
ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | FINAL | #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/Tz1DBSb4nT pic.twitter.com/eeeQHWA3wH
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 8, 2026
Indian Batters Make History
Led by Sanju Samson (89), defending champions India delivered an impressive performance, posting a colossal 255 for five in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday.
The New Zealand bowlers struggled after inviting India to bat in the decisive match. Samson and Abhishek Sharma (52) set the tone from the beginning, hitting multiple sixes and fours.
They built a rapid 98-run partnership in just 7.1 overs, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent batters. Ishan Kishan continued the momentum with a brisk 25-ball 54.
Batting with confidence and little regard for the Kiwi bowlers, India surpassed the 200-run mark within 15 overs.
However, New Zealand managed to slow the run rate by dismissing Samson, Kishan, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (0) within six balls. Pacer James Neesham claimed all three wickets in the 16th over to prevent the game from slipping away completely.
Hardik Pandya (18) did not last long, but Shivam Dube (26 not out) ensured a strong finish, scoring 24 runs off Neesham in the final over.
India added 52 runs in the last five overs, thanks to Dube’s explosive batting. This was the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.
(With inputs from Agencies)
