Picture : BCCI/X
Defending Champions India retained the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in emphatic fashion as they outclassed New Zealand in all departments of the game in the final by 96 runs . The epic win was achieved in front of a packed crowd at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
The historic win thus saw India becoming the first team to win three T20 World Cups ( 2007, 2024, 2026 ), , Second back- to-back and the first to win T20 World Cup at home.
Earlier, Black Caps Skipper Mitchell Santner very much like English Skipper Harry Brook won the toss and asked India to bat first. A tactical blunder which Santner would rue at the end later on.
India took full advantage of Santner’s move and were off to a flier that stunned the Kiwis . Openers in- from Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma given chance by the team management despite horror scores blasted the Kiwis bowlers all around . In the power play India raced to 72/0 leaving Santner and his men shell- shocked . Abhishek Sharma picked the big stage to hit a balzing 21 ball 52 ( 6 fours , 3 sixes). In imperious form Sanju Samson played another swashbuckling innings 89 ( 46 balls , 5 fours 8 sixes). Setting India the stage for big total.
The carnage on Kiwi bowlers continued with Ishan Kishan joining the party and smashing a quick fire 54 ( 25 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes). There was minor hiccup as India lost Skipper Suryakumar Yadav ( 0) and Hardik Pandya ( 18) quickly . Tilak Varma not out 8 and Shivam Dube not out 26 ( 8 balls, 3 fours 2 sixes) gave India the perfect ppwer finish . India posting an imposing 255/5 in their 20 overs.
Not just a team. A family.
Not just a trophy. A dream for a billion of us.PROUD to lead this group, PROUD to represent my India 🇮🇳🏆 A huge thank you to everyone standing beside me. You are the pillars of my strength 💙🙌🏼🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/1fZ1DH3o5M
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) March 8, 2026
Kiwi bowlers were sent on a leather hunt their lead seamers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson bowled a wrong line and flopped in the final . Henry 1/49 ( 4 overs), Lockie Ferguson was hammered 0/48 ( 2 overs), Jacob Duffy 0/42 ( 3 overs), Mitchell Santner 0/33 ( 4 overs), Glenn Phillips 0/5 ( 1 over), Rachin Ravindra 1/32 ( 2 overs), James Neesham3 /46 ( 4 overs, last over went for 24)
In reply New Zealand were never in the race as they lost wickets early. Centurion in the semi- fianls against South Africa Finn Allen was dimisssed for 9. Rachin Ravindra was out for 1 , Glenn Phillips ( 5), Mark Chapman ( 3) , Opener Tim Seifert showed some fight smashing a fine 26 ball 52 ( 2 fours, 5 sixes) . Tim Seifert was out at the score of 72/5 in 8.1 overs . New Zealand chase was all but over. Only inevitable was delayed . Daryl Mitchell batting as low at 6 surprised many scored 17 ( angry exchange with Arshdeep Singh who threw ball at him . SKY intervened to cool down tempers). Skipper Mitchell Santner batted for 43, James Neesham 8 , Matt Henry 0 , Jacob Duffy 3. Lockie Ferguson not out 6 .
New Zealand bundled out for a disappointing 159/10. Kiwis who won the semis against South Africa in such comanding way flopped on the big stage yet again. They had lost to India in the Champions Trophy final in 2025 . But no lessons learnt it seems .
India bowling was spot on Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant 4/15 ( 4 overs) , Axar Patel 3/27 ( 3 overs) , Hardik Pandya 1/36 ( 4 overs), Varun Chakaravarthy 1/39 ( 3 overs). Abhishek Sharma 1/15 ( 1 over) India Skipper SKY rotated his bowlers astutely to clinch a famous win. For Head coach Gautam Gambhir it was a special win ( won as a player in 2007 final top scorer) .
Player of the Match: Jasprit Bumrah
Player of the Series: Sanju Samson
Match: T20 World Cup 2026, Final
Venue: Ahmedabad | Date: March 08, 2026
