India etched their name in cricket history with a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand to lift the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 trophy at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (8).
The emphatic win crowned India as the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles and the first to secure three championships in the tournament’s history.
India’s batting lineup produced a sensational display, posting a record-breaking 255/5, the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.
The explosive opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a blistering start, smashing 92 runs during the powerplay.
Sharma brought up the fastest fifty of the tournament in just 18 balls, striking 52 off 21 deliveries before falling after a 98-run opening partnership.
Samson continued the onslaught with a stunning 89 off 46 balls, smashing five fours and eight sixes while registering his third consecutive half-century of the tournament.
He also joined Mahela Jayawardene as only the second batter to record three successive 80-plus scores in a T20 World Cup.
Ishan Kishan added further momentum with a rapid 54 off 25 balls as India’s top order dismantled the Kiwi bowling attack.
In reply, New Zealand never recovered from early setbacks and were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs despite a quickfire 52 from Tim Seifert.
India’s bowlers sealed the historic victory with a clinical performance, led by Jasprit Bumrah who claimed 4/15, the first four-wicket haul ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.
Axar Patel also played a crucial role with figures of 3/27 as the defending champions dismantled the chase.
The triumph marked a historic moment for India as they became the first nation to defend a T20 World Cup title and the first host nation to lift the trophy on home soil.
