India vs New Zealand Final 2026: The International Cricket Council has announced the match officials for the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 between the India national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team on Sunday, March 8, 2026. England’s Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf will serve as the on-field umpires for the title clash at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Illingworth will officiate in his second consecutive T20 World Cup final after standing in the 2024 final alongside Chris Gaffaney. The experienced umpire has also overseen several major ICC finals in recent years, including the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Wharf, who joined the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2025, has previously officiated at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 and the 2023 men’s Cricket World Cup.
The pair also worked together earlier this week during New Zealand’s semi-final victory over South Africa at Eden Gardens.
South Africa’s Allahuddien Paleker has been named as the third umpire for the final. The 48-year-old was promoted to the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in March 2025 and has officiated in six matches during the tournament.
Fellow South African Adrian Holdstock will serve as the fourth umpire, while Andy Pycroft has been appointed as the match referee for the final in Ahmedabad.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final - India v New Zealand
On-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf
Third Umpire: Allahuddien Paleker
Fourth Umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft
India and New Zealand will face off for the title in what is expected to be a closely contested finish to the tournament. The match is scheduled to be played on March 8
