Ahmedabad: India became the first team to lift the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 trophy for the second time in a row — and third time in its history — in the final against New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Jasprit Bumrah clean bowled Jimmy Neesham and Matt Henry in back to back deliveries and then cleaned up Mitchell Santner for his 4th wicket to push New Zealand further into the abyss.
Earlier, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan struck explosive half-centuries each as defending champions India posted a massive 255/5 against New Zealand. In reply, the rivals were bundled out for 154/9 in 18 overs.
On a flat mixed soil pitch, India posted a total that is the highest at the venue and the third-highest in Men’s T20 World Cup history. It was built on an explosive platform laid by their top three, all of whom attacked from the outset with strike rates that underlined their dominance.
Samson, who made 89 off 46 balls, finished on a strike rate of 193.47, while Abhishek, who finally came good by hitting 54 off 25 balls, struck at 247.61, and Kishan, who slammed a 25-ball 54, hit at a strike rate of 216.
At several stages, a total of 280 or beyond appeared well within India's reach, only for New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham to apply the brakes via 3-46. Shivam Dube ultimately ensured India finished strongly, plundering 24 runs off the final over to push the total past 250. Dube's late assault of 26 off just eight balls came at a strike rate of 325.
The early overs had set an ominous tone for New Zealand before the tactical decision to introduce fast bowler Jacob Duffy in the third over backfired badly. Runs and boundaries flowed from there like an avalanche, as New Zealand's bowlers were sent on a leather hunt by depending too much on slower balls and bowling away from stump-lines.
Inserted into batting first, Samson defended solidly off Matt Henry for the first four balls, before opening up with an elegant swing over long-on for six. After Glenn Phillips gave away five runs in the second over, Abhishek announced himself with an ugly heave off Jacob Duffy for four, before sweetly timing a lofted off-drive for another boundary.
Samson, meanwhile, pumped a Duffy inswinger back over the bowler's head for four. The pitch was a belter, and both batters were beginning to sense it as the fourth over opened the floodgates for India. Lockie Ferguson endured a nightmare introduction - two wides, with Abhishek and Samson taking him for a pair of four and six each, as the duo plundered 24 runs.
