Ghosts Of 2023: India Overhauls Routine With Hotel And Dressing Room Swap For T20 WC Final

AHMEDABAD — Determined to avoid a repeat of the heartbreak at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Indian cricket team has opted for a radical “superstitious” reset ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final against New Zealand on Sunday, March 8.

According to reports from media, the team management has abandoned their usual routine in Ahmedabad, shifting away from their previous base at the ITC Narmada—the hotel where they stayed during the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia and the recent Super 8 thrashing by South Africa.

1. The “Fresh Energy” Strategy

The move is being seen as a psychological maneuver to provide the players with a clean slate.

• New Base: The squad has checked into the Taj Skyline in Ahmedabad instead of their traditional venue.
• Dressing Room Swap: In an unprecedented move, reports suggest India may opt to use the Visitors’ Dressing Room at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The logic is to physically distance the players from the “Home” locker room, which was the site of the 2023 final collapse and the 76-run loss to South Africa earlier in this tournament.

2. Celestial Timing and the Mumbai Semifinal

The team’s reliance on “vibes” was evident during their semifinal against England at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, March 5.

• The Eclipse Factor: India famously delayed its pre-match training session by 45 minutes to avoid the peak of a lunar eclipse, adhering to traditional beliefs that starting new tasks during an eclipse brings misfortune.
• The Result: The caution seemingly paid off. In a high-octane thriller, India defended a massive 253/7 (anchored by Sanju Samson’s 89 off 42) to win by just 7 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the hero of the death overs, pulling India back from the brink after England’s Jacob Bethell smashed a 48-ball century.

3. Arjun Tendulkar’s Star-Studded Wedding

Amidst the World Cup intensity, the Indian camp took a brief emotional detour on Thursday morning.

• The Ceremony: Legend Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun, tied the knot with entrepreneur Saaniya Chandhok at The St. Regis Mumbai.
• Attendees: Despite the looming semifinal, coach Gautam Gambhir and key players including Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Jasprit Bumrah were spotted at the wedding festivities. The event was a “who’s who” of India, featuring MS Dhoni, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Nita Ambani.

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