Over 100,000 fans were expected to fill the stands at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi stadium -- the world's biggest cricket ground with a seating capacity of 132,000.
New Zealand, who reached the 2021 final and have never won a white-ball World Cup, made one change to their team with pace bowler Jacob Duffy coming in for off-spinner Cole McConchie.
Santner's side has been hot and cold in the 20-team tournament but hammered South Africa in a nine-wicket semi-final win.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, come in unchanged from their nerve-wracking semi-final win over England as they attempt to become the first team to retain the trophy.
A win for the co-hosts could also be the first for any team on home soil and a record third world T20 crown.
Bollywood dance and song dominated the opening acts before they which concluded with a performance from Grammy Awards winning singer Ricky Martin.
