Ahmedabad: India created history by clinching their third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title after a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand national cricket team in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
With the triumph, India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times and also the first side to successfully defend the title.
The victory also made India the first host nation to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on home soil, marking a memorable moment for Indian cricket.
Batting first, India produced a batting masterclass to post a massive 255/5, the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final. The innings was built around a sensational knock by Sanju Samson, who smashed 89 off just 46 balls, including five fours and eight sixes.
Samson was well supported by Abhishek Sharma, who set the tone early with a blistering 52 off 21 balls. The opening duo added 98 runs and became the first pair to register a 50-plus partnership in a T20 World Cup final. India raced to 92 runs in the powerplay, equalling the highest powerplay total in the tournament’s history.
Later, Ishan Kishan continued the onslaught with a quickfire 54 off 25 balls as India’s top order dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack. A late flourish by Shivam Dube, who hammered 24 runs in the final over, propelled India past the 250 mark. In total, India struck 19 fours and 18 sixes, piling up 184 runs in boundaries.
Chasing the daunting target, New Zealand never gained momentum. Their top order collapsed early as Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips fell cheaply.
The only resistance came from Tim Seifert, who scored a brisk 52 off 26 balls with five sixes and two fours, but his dismissal triggered another collapse.
India’s bowlers then sealed the historic win. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a match-winning spell of 4/15, becoming the first bowler to take a four-wicket haul in a T20 World Cup final.
Axar Patel also played a crucial role with 3/27, while Varun Chakaravarthy continued his impressive tournament with another wicket to finish as the leading wicket-taker.
New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs, handing India a comprehensive victory and a historic second consecutive T20 World Cup crown.
The win also erased the painful memories of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final, where India had lost at the same venue. This time, however, the hosts delivered a commanding performance to lift the trophy and cement their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
Source: ICC
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