New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said he "wouldn't mind breaking a few hearts" as they prepare to take on co-hosts India in the T20 World Cup final.

The Black Caps thrashed South Africa by nine wickets in the semi-final as they look to win their first-ever white-ball World Cup.

New Zealand will be playing their second men's T20 World Cup final (lost in the 2021 final); of the six other sides to play multiple finals in the competition, only Sri Lanka have lost each of their first two finals (2009 and 2012).

The Black Caps have won five games in this edition; a win in the final will give them their outright highest tally of wins in a single edition of the competition (also five wins in 2021).

With a maiden T20 World Cup trophy in their sights, Santner is prepared to break the hearts of the home fans in Ahmedabad.

"I wouldn't mind winning a trophy," Santner said.

The Final. Against India. In Ahmedabad.  pic.twitter.com/6el7FK7OnN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 5, 2026

"It's going to be obviously a challenge where everyone knows we're probably not the favourites.

"But yeah, I wouldn't mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once. I guess that's the goal, is to silence the crowd.

"T20 cricket is fickle at times. We've seen South Africa playing very good cricket all the way through and then had a little hiccup against us and out.

"So I think for us, it's taking confidence from that, and if we go about our business the same way, we can upset another big team."

India have lost each of their three games against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, with the two sides last meeting each other in 2021.

Indeed, the Black Caps are one of two sides whom the Men in Blue have faced in the competition and never beaten (P2 L2 versus Sri Lanka).