In the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Canada won the toss and chose to bat first against New Zealand. Canada made one change to their playing XI, replacing Kaleem Sana with Shivam Sharma due to injury. Captain Dilpreet Bajwa expressed confidence in batting first, citing the good pitch conditions and the potential assistance for spinners later in the game. For New Zealand, skipper Mitchell Santner was rested due to illness, with Daryl Mitchell standing in as captain. The team also saw two replacements: Cole McConchie replaced Michael Bracewell, and Kyle Jamieson replaced Lockie Ferguson, who returned to New Zealand for the birth of his first child. Daryl Mitchell highlighted the challenges of playing in Chennai and the team's understanding of local conditions, emphasizing their readiness to adapt. The match features strategic team adjustments and highlights the importance of batting first on a surface favorable to spinners, with both teams aiming to perform well in this crucial fixture of the tournament.