R ARIVANANTHAM
AHMEDABAD, MAR 8
A roaring sea of over one lakh fans at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed a night of cricketing dominance as India crushed New Zealand by 96 runs to successfully defend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title on Sunday.
𝐂.𝐇.𝐀.𝐌.𝐏.𝐈.𝐎.𝐍.𝐒 🇮🇳#TeamIndia clinch a record 3️⃣rd ICC Men's #T20WorldCup title 🏆
Take. A. Bow 🫡#MenInBlue | #Final | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/nml1AZY5tK
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2026
In a final that quickly turned into a one-sided spectacle, India produced a commanding all-round performance — smashing 255 for five and then dismantling the New Zealand chase for 159 — to script history with their third T20 World Cup crown.
- Record 255-run blitz lights up the final at Narendra Modi Stadium
- Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan power India to a mammoth total
- Jasprit Bumrah unleashes devastating 4-wicket spell to seal 96-run victory
- India becomes first team to defend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title and win it thrice
Batting Blitz Sets the Tone
And…the celebrations went on! 😀
📸 Dressing room scenes, ft. 🔙 to 🔙 #T20WorldCup winners 🏆#TeamIndia | #MenInBlue | #Final pic.twitter.com/yaLUNTS6G2
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2026
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2026
After being put in to bat, India’s top order unleashed a breathtaking assault.
Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma tore into the Kiwi attack, racing to 92 without loss in the powerplay. Abhishek blazed to a stunning 52 off 21 balls, reaching his fifty in just 18 deliveries before falling to Rachin Ravindra.
Samson, however, continued the carnage with sublime stroke play, hammering 89 off 46 balls with five fours and eight sixes, anchoring India’s record total.
At the other end, Ishan Kishan added further fireworks with a brisk 54, while a late cameo from Shivam Dube ensured India finished with a daunting 255/5 in 20 overs — one of the highest totals in a T20 World Cup final.
Bumrah’s Masterclass with the Ball
New Zealand’s chase never truly took off.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel struck early, dismissing Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ripped through the middle order with a sensational spell of 4 for 15.
Despite a fighting half-century from Tim Seifert, the Kiwis collapsed under pressure as India sealed a massive 96-run victory.
Bumrah was adjudged Player of the Match, while Samson’s extraordinary tournament run earned him the Player of the Tournament honour.
Voices from the Victory
Reflecting on the historic triumph, Samson said: “Feels like a dream, actually. Very happy, very grateful. Out of words, out of emotions… I kept visualising this moment and working hard for it.”
On his defining spell, Bumrah remarked: “It feels extremely special. I was really clear about what I wanted to do. The wicket was flat, so I used all my experience and tried to execute my plans.”
Captain Suryakumar Yadav paid tribute to his strike bowler, saying: “Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation bowler. I can call him a national treasure. He knows how to deliver under pressure.”
Historic Feat
The emphatic triumph marked a watershed moment for Indian cricket — the first time any men’s team has successfully defended the T20 World Cup title and also the first time India has won the trophy on home soil.
For the Men in Blue, the Ahmedabad night will long be remembered as a defining chapter in global T20 cricket.
