INDIA: India secured the title of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday after defeating New Zealand by 95 runs with delivering dominant all-round performance at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Half-centuries from Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan powered India to a record total before a disciplined bowling effort, led by Jasprit Bumrah’s four-wicket haul, bowled New Zealand out for 159 in 19 overs.
The victory secured India another T20 World Cup crown and completed a dominant display in front of a packed home crowd.
New Zealand fall short in steep chase
Chasing a daunting target of 256, New Zealand struggled against India’s sharp bowling attack and lost wickets at regular intervals.
Opener Tim Seifert provided the only major resistance, scoring a brisk 52 off 26 deliveries, including five sixes and two fours.
Mitchell Santner contributed 43 while Daryl Mitchell added 17, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to build partnerships.
India’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
Bumrah led the attack with four wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs.
Axar Patel took three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy, Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma claimed one each.
New Zealand were eventually dismissed for 159 in the 19th over.
India pile up record total
Earlier, India posted a massive 255 for five after being put in to bat by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.
The decision to field first backfired as India’s top order launched a fierce assault on the New Zealand bowling attack.
Openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson gave the hosts a flying start with a 98-run partnership in just seven overs.
Rachin Ravindra eventually broke the stand on the first ball of the eighth over, dismissing Sharma for a rapid 52 off 21 balls.
His innings included six fours and three sixes.
Samson, Kishan extend momentum
Following Sharma’s dismissal, Ishan Kishan joined Samson at the crease and the pair continued the aggressive approach.
They stitched together a 105-run partnership for the second wicket from just 47 deliveries, keeping India firmly in control.
Samson top-scored with a superb 89 off 46 balls, striking eight sixes and five fours.
Kishan also impressed with a quick-fire 54 from 25 deliveries, hitting four sixes and four boundaries.
New Zealand briefly clawed back into the match when James Neesham struck three times in the 16th over.
He dismissed Samson and Kishan before removing India captain Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck, reducing India to 204 for four.
Late surge lifts India past 250
Despite the mini collapse, India added valuable runs in the closing overs.
Hardik Pandya made 18 before being dismissed in the penultimate over after a short partnership with Tilak Varma.
Shivam Dube then provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 26 from just eight balls, smashing three fours and two sixes to lift India to 255 for five.
Neesham was the most successful bowler for New Zealand with three wickets for 46 runs. Ravindra and Matt Henry took one wicket each.
India’s total proved far beyond New Zealand’s reach, as the hosts sealed a comfortable victory to lift the trophy.
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