India, March 8 -- For much of New Zealand's innings, the T20 World Cup 2026 final had carried the feel of a contest balanced on nerve as much as skill. India had kept striking at key moments, but with Daryl Mitchell still there and New Zealand trying to rebuild at 103 for 5 after 11 overs, the match remained alive enough for every ball to carry a little extra edge.

That edge spilt over briefly in Ahmedabad when Arshdeep Singh and Mitchell got involved in a tense exchange that changed the tone of the evening for a few moments.

The incident came in the 11th over. Arshdeep delivered a full, wide ball outside off stump, and Mitchell shuffled across before swatting it back towards the bowler. In his follow-through, Arshdeep gathered the ball...