India hammered New Zealand in a one-sided final.
The powerful batting order made a mockery of New Zealand’s bowling attack.
India won the match by as many as 96 runs. This was a typical big-margin win.
The Home team posted 255 in 20 overs and then could defend it by 96 runs in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.
Jasprit Bumrah's magical four-wicket haul was a major contributor and so was Sanju Samson's sensational 89.
India became the first team to lift men's T20 World Cup titles three times and also the first to win back to back.
The jinx or ghost of November 19, 2023 - when India lost the finals - was also done away with in the process.
"Champions! Congratulations to the Indian team on winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup!," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also wrote:
"This remarkable triumph reflects exceptional skills, determination and teamwork. They have shown outstanding grit through the tournament. This victory has filled every Indian heart with pride and joy. Well done, Team India!"
“It has been a long journey. [It] started post-2024 World Cup when BCCI at that time, Jay (Shah) bhai, Rohit (Sharma) bhai and everyone, they showed faith in me, gave me an opportunity to lead this wonderful side,” the skipper said during the trophy presentation.
India became the first team to win the men's T20 World Cup on home soil and the first to successfully defend the title. They also moved ahead of England (2010, 2022) and the West Indies (2012, 2016) to become the only side with three men's T20 World Cup crowns - in 2007, 2024 and 2026.
New Zealand were bundled out for 159 in 19 overs as Jasprit Bumrah led a disciplined show of bowling, finishing with figures of 4 for 15.
Ahmedabad, despite its grandeur, had long been haunted by the echoing silence of November 19, 2023. For many, the Narendra Modi Stadium had become a reminder of heartbreak rather than triumph.
But on Sunday night, that narrative finally changed. The ghosts were chased away by a fearless Indian side.
Suryakumar Yadav, a late bloomer who was handed over captaincy at 33, joined a league of legends – Kapil Dev, M S Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur as the only captains to have won World Cups for India.
"Started post-2024 World Cup when BCCI at that time, Jay Shah bhai, at that time secretary of the BCCI, Rohit Bhai and everyone, showed faith in me, gave me an opportunity to lead this wonderful side, and then it was a long, long, long cycle coming here again at the Narendra Modi Stadium and doing it. I think it's a special feeling," Suryakumar said.
India did not have to pay much for the dropped catch of Finn Allen, with Axar Patel sending the destructive New Zealand opener back in his very first over.
It was not the start India would have wanted after Shivam Dube put down Allen earlier. The same Allen, remember, who blasted a record century against South Africa the other night in Kolkata.
Suryakumar Yadav quickly walked up to Dube and asked him to keep his chin up. India and Arshdeep Singh could easily have had a wicket in the opening over, but no need to fret now.
After four overs of India scoring just a little over 30 runs, Shivam Dube produced a 24-run over to power India to 255/5 – the third-highest total in a T20 World Cup.
India went without a boundary for 16 balls before Tilak’s four and Hardik’s six restored order.
However, New Zealand struck again with Hardik Pandya’s wicket. With Ishan and Samson set, the BlackCaps removed both batters and picked up one more, with Suryakumar Yadav falling for a golden duck. That’s three wickets in one over from Jimmy Neesham.
After Abhishek’s blazing half-century, it was Samson’s turn to turn up the heat as he brought up a hat-trick of fifties. At the other end, Ishan Kishan gave him solid company.
India’s 150 up in 12th over.
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| Samson |
Abhishek Sharma brought up an 18-ball fifty to return to form in the all-important final but perished after blasting 52.
Despite fighting form issues at various stages of the tournament, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy all contributed to India’s second consecutive T20 World Cup crown.
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