Shivam Dube missed a straightforward catch during the T20 World Cup 2026 final, giving Finn Allen a crucial reprieve. The incident occurred in the first over of New Zealand’s run chase against India. On the fifth ball of the over, Allen, the New Zealand opener, could have been dismissed if Dube had successfully taken the catch. However, the ball evaded Dube’s grasp, allowing Allen to continue his innings. The replay suggested the ball may have touched Dube’s fingertips before falling to the ground. This missed opportunity provided New Zealand with a lifeline as they managed only four runs in the first over but avoided an early collapse. Despite the reprieve, Allen’s innings was short-lived. He was dismissed for 9 runs in the third over by Axar Patel, who claimed the wicket with a sharp delivery. Allen’s dismissal marked the beginning of a challenging phase for New Zealand, as their batting lineup struggled to build momentum. The team’s first innings total of 255 runs against five wickets had already placed them under pressure, and their openers faced further difficulties in the second innings. New Zealand’s bowlers faced significant challenges in containing the Indian attack. In the first innings, India’s openers, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, dominated the powerplay, scoring 52 runs in six overs. Samson, in particular, stole the spotlight with a blistering 89-run innings, featuring five fours and eight sixes. Sharma also contributed with a half-century, while Ishan Kishan added another half-century to help India reach 255 runs. The Indian team’s aggressive approach in the first innings set the tone for the match, leaving New Zealand with a daunting target. The New Zealand batting lineup struggled to adapt to the pace and movement of the Indian bowlers.#t20_world_cup_2026 #india #shivam_dube #finn_allen #new_zeland
