Picture : BCCI /X
With a commanding win over New Zealand in the ICC T20 2026 World Cup India clinched two back-to-back titles their previous was one in West Indies 2024 . Team India thus becomes the first team to win the T20 World Cup thrice . Their first was in 2007 South Africa . When the team won in 2024 there were doubts soon after whther the Men in Blue would be able to succesffuly defend their title .
As the team post 2024 saw changes taking place . Rohit Sharma was no longer the Skipper and player and had retired from the shortest format. The master chaser Virat Kohli too had quit the T20’s Inetrnationals. And following their footsteps was live- wire in the field and all- rounder Ravindra Jadeja. And legendary Rahul Dravid had moved on as Head coach after ending his stint on a high paving the way for Gautam Gambhir to take over.
Picture : BCCI/X
But all the doubts were put to rest as Team India under Suryakumar Yadav ( fondly called SKY) led from the front with his astute cpataincy. The 35- year old may not have had best of the tournament with the bat but was inspiring leader right through. The ever smiling SKY took questions form the media with aplomb and was honest enough to admit pressure to win as hosts. SKY and head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared on the same page and this augured well for the side .
Gambhir has had to face criticism from from former players. But Gauti remained unfazed in his mission . And he would have the last laugh ( hope he smiles more now ) as the win puts his name in record books . Gambhir had won the T20 World Cup as a player in 2007 , top- scorer 75 in the final against Pakistan) now as Head coach.
Bringing in Sanju Samson into the side was a masterstroke . Sanju repaid the confidence shown by the team management and played three power packed impactful innings. 97 against West Indies in must win tie, 89 against England in the semi- finals and 89 again in the finals against New Zealand were oustanding knocks . It had sheer class writeen all over it . For someone who has been in and out of the team . Sanju grabbed the opportunity to tell the slectors look i can deliver just give me regular place in the playing XI. And behind the stumps too Sanju did a fine job. Sanju made up for the below par show by Abhishek Sharma (who struggled right through barring fifties against Zimbabwe and one in the final). It was befitting that for his strling show Sanju was named player of the tournament.
3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ RUNS 🔥
3️⃣ FIFTIES 👏
8️⃣0️⃣.2️⃣5️⃣ AVERAGE ✨A performance for the ages from SANJU SAMSON 🫡#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #Final | #INDvNZ | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/oUDtppO3Mv
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2026
Dropped from the Indian team Ishan Kishan too did not let go the opportunity playing some dazzling innings with timing , placement and brute power. Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube gave India the finish when it needed them. All- rounder Hardik Pandya showed his value in some matches.
India’s bowling was well handled by wily Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel weaved his magic when it mattered most and took some stunning catches as well . Varun Charkravarthy had a rther mixed tournament and struggled with line and length against quality opposition . Arshdeep Singh was an able partner for Bumrah. India had all bases covered and this helped them in good stead.
That India lost only one match that too against South Africa tells us about the dominace of Team India in the championship. It was near a flawless campaign and it was apt that as defending champions India retained the title at Narendra Modi stadium and finally removed the nightmare of November 19, 2023 ICC 50 Over World Cup final where Australia led by Pat Cummins dashed their cup dreams with a clinical win. And for those who thought SKY would walk away are mistaken. The unassuming skipper has spelt out future goal too – In year 2028 the T20 World Cup and Gold At Olympics . So Team India is ready to dominate and not rest on it’s laurels.
