India romped to a 96-run victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final to register a record third title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (March 8).
Powered by a blazing 89 from Sanju Samson and explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma (52) and Ishan Kishan (54), India’s top order went on a six-hitting spree, leaving the New Zealand bowlers shell-shocked in the title clash, posting a massive 255 for five.
This total was the highest ever posted in a T20 World Cup final, capping a dominant display by the defending champions on the biggest stage of the tournament. India also became the first team to win the tournament.
The scoreboard pressure got to the Black Caps, who desperately went after the Indian bowlers and ended up losing three quick wickets initially.
Their biggest hope, Finn Allen (9), and the dangerous Glenn Phillips (5) perished early, and with that, New Zealand’s chances of putting up a decent fight vanished.
Axar Patel (3/27) and Jasprit Bumrah (4/15) bulldozed the Kiwi innings, and with the departure of Tim Seifert (52 off 26), the contest was reduced to a formality.
Invited to bat, Samson and Abhishek went on the offensive, tearing into the Kiwi attack with audacious strokeplay.
The duo hammered boundaries at will and raised a breathtaking 98-run opening stand in just 7.1 overs, setting the tone for a massive total.
Batting with sheer authority and little respect for the Kiwi bowlers, India crossed the 200-run mark in 15 overs.
However, New Zealand succeeded in putting the brakes on the run flow by dismissing Samson, Kishan, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (0) in the space of six balls. Pacer James Neesham took all three wickets in the 16th over to somehow stop the game from slipping away.
Hardik Pandya (18) did not last long, but Shivam Dube (26 not out) provided a flourishing finish, creaming off 24 runs in the final over from Neesham.
India managed 52 in the last five overs, thanks to Dube’s fiery knock.
