Ahmedabad Mar 08 : India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
With this victory, India became the first team in history to successfully defend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. It was also India’s third T20 World Cup trophy, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history, ahead of West Indies and England, who have won the title twice each.
Batting first, India posted 255/5 in 20 overs, the highest total ever in a T20 World Cup final. Sanju Samson led the charge with 89 runs off 46 balls. Ishan Kishan scored 54 off 25 balls, while Abhishek Sharma added a quick 52 off just 18 balls.
India made a strong start in the powerplay, reaching 92 without loss in the first six overs. Abhishek Sharma reached his fifty in only 18 balls, the fastest half-century of the tournament. After his dismissal, Samson and Kishan continued the attack and pushed India past 200 in the 15th over.
New Zealand managed a brief comeback when James Neesham dismissed Samson and Kishan in the same over. However, late hitting by Shivam Dube helped India finish with a massive total.
Chasing 256, New Zealand lost early wickets and struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Tim Seifert scored 52, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to build partnerships.
Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling attack with four wickets for 15 runs, while Axar Patel took three wickets for 27 runs. New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-takers with 14 wickets each.
Brief scores: India 255/5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54, Abhishek Sharma 52; James Neesham 3/46) beat New Zealand 159 all out in 19 overs (Tim Seifert 52; Jasprit Bumrah 4/15, Axar Patel 3/27) by 96 runs.(KNS)
