Suryakumar Yadav’s Team India became T20 World Champions after beating New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad in T20 World Cup 2026. It was again Sanju Samson who smashed super 89 runs in just 46 balls with eight sixes and five fours.
It is worth mentioning that Team India’s top order went on a six-hitting midnset to leave the New Zealand bowlers shocked in the title clash, putting a massive 255 runs total for five on board. The total was the highest ever posted in a T20 World Cup final, which showed a dominant display by the defending champions on the biggest stage of the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav’s Team India also became the first team to win the tournament.
Looking at New Zealand’s batting, the scoreboard pressure got to Mitchell Santner’s side who desperately went after the Indian bowlers and ended up losing three quick wickets initially. Their biggest hope Finn Allen and the dangerous Glenn Phillips got out early and with that New Zealand’s chances of putting up a decent fight went up in smoke.
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 least respect for the Kiwi bowlers, India crossed the 200-run mark in 15 overs.
However, New Zealand succeeded in putting the brake on the run flow by dismissing Samson, Kishan and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (0) in a 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 last five overs, thanks to Dube’s fiery knock.
Brief Scores:
India: 255 for 5 in 20 overs. (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54, Abhishek Sharma 52; James Neesham 3/46).
New Zealand: 159 all out in 19 overs. (Tim Seifert 52, J Bumrah 4/15, Axar Patel 3/23).
(With PTI Inputs)
