NEW DELHI: The blue wave has returned to Motera, steadily moving towards the sprawling Narendra Modi Stadium for yet another global final — the T20 World Cup summit clash.

Amid the sea of ​​Indian jerseys and tricolours, a lone voice from the opposition camp acknowledged the situation rather candidly. New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner reached out to fans back home with a heartfelt message before his team takes on an Indian side that has carried an unmistakable aura of inevitability throughout the tournament.

“I am not one for big speeches or rallying cries, but it’s fair to say we are a bit outnumbered over here — 1.4 billion Team India fans and all that. But it’s all good because we know back home you will have our backs,” he said in a message to Kiwi fans on X.

Santner is well aware of the challenge that awaits his side in the cauldron on Sunday night.

A different build-up from 2023

The atmosphere around the venue feels quite different from November 19, 2023 when India faced Australia in the final of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and ended up on the losing side.

Back then, Ahmedabad had woken up unusually early for a 1 pm start. The city was buzzing with nervous anticipation from as early as eight in the morning.

This time the final begins at 7 pm and fans only started trickling in late in the afternoon, giving the entire build-up a far more relaxed and almost celebratory feel.

Confidence replaces anxiety

There is also another subtle contrast from the last summit clash played here.

On that day, many supporters carried a sense of anxiety, wary of the formidable Australian pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

This time, however, the mood appears very different.

Most fans seem prepared for what they believe could be inevitable — an Indian victory, perhaps even by a comfortable margin.

Part of that confidence stems from the grit and conviction India have displayed throughout the tournament, supported by several spectacular performances. It also has something to do with the opposition. New Zealand, despite their competitive pedigree, are a team Indian fans have long learned to respect but rarely fear.

The Black Caps command admiration but lack the intimidating aura that Australia often bring. Many supporters still view them as the “nice guys” of world cricket.

Fans turn up despite travel disruptions

Among the thousands heading towards the stadium were Tarun and Gautam, two tech professionals in their mid-twenties working at a Bengaluru based software MNC.

The pair had spent heavily on match tickets and hotel bookings just to witness the occasion.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” one of them said, brushing aside the steep costs.

Not everyone who had planned to be here could eventually make it. With Dubai airspace temporarily shut due to the conflict with Iran, travel plans for several NRIs have been thrown into disarray, preventing what might have been an even larger overseas Indian presence at the venue.

As for Kiwi supporters, there will hardly be any black shirts visible in the stands. Most will instead be watching from home, with the match beginning at 2.30 am on Monday in New Zealand.

“Kia Ora Aotearoa,” Santner wrote on X, greeting fans in traditional Maori style, a phrase that translates to “Hello New Zealand”.

“We get it. The match starts super early Monday morning. But set your alarm and get around us one more time. And if you are a bit late to school, pass on my message to your boss or teachers,” he wrote.

The skipper signed off hoping the team would be “home soon with some extra luggage.”

“Aotearoa” in Maori means the “land of the long white clouds”.

On Sunday night, India will hope those clouds over Motera turn decidedly dark for the visitors.