Ahmedabad, March 6: The final match of the T20 World Cup 2026 will see Team India face off against New Zealand on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium. The on-field umpires for this crucial match have been announced, with England’s Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf selected for the role.
This will be Illingworth’s second consecutive T20 World Cup final, having previously officiated the 2024 final alongside Chris Gaffaney, where India emerged victorious against South Africa in Barbados. Illingworth has also served as an umpire in the finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
On the other hand, Alex Wharf will be making his debut as an on-field umpire in a senior World Cup final. The former England fast bowler officiated in the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 before joining the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires last year. The duo was previously seen officiating the first semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
In the upcoming T20 World Cup final, South Africa’s Allahuddeen Paleker will take on the role of third umpire, while England’s Adrian Holdstock will serve as the fourth umpire. Andy Pycroft will be the match referee for the final. Paleker, who is part of the elite panel, has officiated in six matches during this T20 World Cup.
Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team is just one step away from claiming the T20 World Cup title for the second consecutive time. This presents a golden opportunity for Team India to make history, as no team has ever won the T20 World Cup back-to-back. Meanwhile, New Zealand has reached the final for the second time, having previously lost to Australia by eight wickets in the 2021 final.
Disclaimer: This news is sourced directly from the agency, and our team has not made any edits.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
