India sealed the India T20 World Cup win after defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the 2026 final, becoming the first team to defend the title.
AHMEDABAD: India secured a historic India T20 World Cup win after defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
The victory marked several milestones for Indian cricket. India became the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title, the first to win the tournament on home soil, and the first side to claim three T20 World Cup trophies.
India set the tone early with a powerful batting display, posting 255 for 5, the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final. The opening partnership between Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start, with the duo adding 98 runs to put New Zealand immediately on the back foot.
Sharma smashed the fastest half century of the tournament, reaching his fifty in just 18 balls before departing for 52 from 21 deliveries. Samson continued the assault and played a match defining innings, scoring 89 from 45 balls with five fours and eight sixes.
Ishan Kishan added further momentum with a quickfire 54 off 25 balls as India’s top order dominated the New Zealand bowling attack.
Chasing a daunting target, New Zealand struggled to build momentum. Early wickets put them under pressure as the Indian bowlers maintained tight control throughout the innings.
The disciplined bowling attack ensured the India T20 World Cup win never looked in doubt. Axar Patel claimed 3 wickets for 27 runs while Jasprit Bumrah produced a superb spell of 4 for 15, the first four wicket haul in a T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs as India completed a memorable India T20 World Cup win, sparking celebrations across the country.
