‘New Zealand lost T20 World Cup by 7:30 PM’: Sourav Ganguly shows no mercy to Santner over ‘recipe for disaster’ call

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly slammed New Zealand’s decision to field first in the T20 World Cup final, saying their fate was sealed by 7:30 pm.

Updated on: Mar 12, 2026, 16:01:37 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Suryakumar Yadav and co. dominated New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final, turning it into a rare one-sided summit clash. India crushed their opponents by 96 runs after posting a massive 255 for 5, with New Zealand winning the toss and choosing to field at Narendra Modi Stadium. The Indian top order was unstoppable, with Sanju Samson scoring 89, Abhishek Sharma 52, and Ishan Kishan 54, taking the attack to the Kiwi bowlers. Mitchell Santner’s decision to bowl first backfired completely as India’s batters set a commanding total and controlled the match from start to finish.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India a blistering start in T20 World Cup final which blew away New Zealand. (PTI)

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly slammed New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner’s decision to field first in the T20 World Cup final, saying their fate was sealed by 7:30 pm. He called it a “recipe for disaster” and shared his reaction with those watching alongside him.

"New Zealand had lost the World Cup by 7:30 pm. How can teams ask this Indian side to bat first? It is a recipe for disaster. The match started at 7 pm and was over by 7:30 pm. I said as much to the people who were watching with me." Ganguly said on Revsportz.

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Ganguly praised India’s batting strength, listing stars from Ishan Kishan to Axar Patel, and called bowling maestro Jasprit Bumrah “a freak.” He noted that with such firepower, the match was effectively over in half an hour.

"Look at India’s batting – Ishan, Abhishek, Sanju Samson, Surya, Shivam, Tilak, Hardik, and Axar – and teams want to send India in! It is a recipe for disaster. And then you have Bumrah, who is a freak. The game was over by 7:30 pm," he added.

“India can easily field two teams of great quality”

Continuing his assessment, Ganguly pointed to India’s staggering depth in white-ball cricket, highlighting how players like Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill are still outside the XI. He said the talent pool is so rich that India could easily field two teams of top quality.

"Just think of the players who are not in the team, and you will know how good they are. Shreyas Iyer is a bona fide white-ball great, yet he doesn’t get a spot in the team. Suryavanshi can walk into any team in the world. Jaiswal doesn’t get a spot in the team. Gill is sitting out. You can easily field two teams of great quality," said Ganguly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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