Kuldeep Yadav during a net session at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo/Getty Images)

Security has been stepped up at the Narendra Modi Stadium as fans began arriving for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between India and New Zealand on Sunday.Officials said a large deployment of security personnel and new crowd control measures have been put in place to manage the turnout at the stadium in Motera.

For the first time during a match at the venue, holding areas have been created near Gates 1 and 2 as a precaution to prevent any risk of a stampede, officials said, as cited by news agency PTI.Also See: IND vs NZ Live Score T20 World Cup Final 2026Police have also arrested two people for allegedly black-marketing tickets for the final.Defending champions India will face New Zealand at the stadium, which is the largest cricket venue in the world. India are aiming to retain the T20 World Cup title and win the tournament for the third time.

“As part of bandobast, around 3,000 police personnel and around 1,000 home guards have been deployed. This time, we have created holding areas at gate nos. 1 and 2 near the main road to prevent any possibility of a stampede. We are implementing this for the first time during the match,” Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik said.The police have also deployed three anti-drone systems and eight bomb detection and disposal squad teams at the stadium as part of the security plan.Malik asked spectators to use public transport to reduce congestion around the venue.He said transport services would run late into the night so that fans can return home after the match.Special arrangements have also been made for the safety and convenience of women spectators.Security measures have also been put in place inside the stadium to prevent fans from entering the playing area during the match.Several senior police officers, including a joint commissioner of police and 12 deputy commissioners of police, will be present at the venue as part of the security arrangements, Malik said.India are also chasing several milestones in the final. The team is aiming to become the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup, the first side to defend the title, and the first team to win the tournament three times.India have reached the T20 World Cup final for the fourth time, the most by any team. Out of the nine previous finals, six were won by the team chasing. Of the remaining three, India won two — in 2007 and 2024 — both in matches decided in the final over.