Bengaluru: India delivered a commanding performance to defeat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final and lift their third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With the win, India became the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title and also the first host nation to win the tournament on home soil.
The victory also helped India overcome the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same venue, when Australia ended their unbeaten run to claim the title.
India’s triumph was built on a powerful batting display followed by a clinical bowling performance. Sanju Samson led the charge with a brilliant 89 off 46 balls, smashing five fours and eight sixes. Abhishek Sharma provided a blazing start with 52 off just 21 balls, while Ishan Kishan added a quickfire 54 from 25 deliveries. Shivam Dube finished strongly with an unbeaten 26 off eight balls, helping India post a massive total of 255/5 in 20 overs — the highest score ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.
India got off to a flying start as Samson and Abhishek stitched together a 98-run opening partnership. After a cautious beginning, the pair accelerated rapidly, including a 24-run fourth over, taking India to the 50-run mark in just four overs. The hosts dominated the powerplay, scoring 92 runs — the highest ever in a T20 World Cup match.
Abhishek Sharma brought up the fastest fifty of the tournament in just 18 balls before he was dismissed by Rachin Ravindra. Despite losing the wicket, India continued their aggressive approach as Samson and Kishan kept the scoreboard ticking at a rapid pace.
Samson reached his half-century in 33 balls and continued to attack, including three consecutive sixes off Ravindra. Kishan also completed his fifty in just 23 balls as India crossed the 200-run mark in the 15th over.
New Zealand briefly fought back when James Neesham dismissed Samson, Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. However, Shivam Dube’s late onslaught in the final over, which included three fours and two sixes, pushed India to an imposing total.
Chasing a daunting target of 256, New Zealand started aggressively with Tim Seifert attacking early, hitting two fours and two sixes off Hardik Pandya in the second over. India responded quickly as Axar Patel dismissed Finn Allen for nine.
Jasprit Bumrah then removed Rachin Ravindra for just one, while Axar later dismissed Glenn Phillips to put New Zealand under pressure.
Although Seifert scored a quick half-century, wickets kept falling regularly. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Seifert, while Hardik Pandya removed Mark Chapman cheaply.
Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell attempted to rebuild the innings with a 52-run partnership, but Axar Patel broke the stand by dismissing Mitchell.
Bumrah then produced a match-winning spell, removing James Neesham and Matt Henry in quick succession before dismissing Santner for 43. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs, with Abhishek Sharma taking the final wicket.
Bumrah finished with outstanding figures of 4/15, while Axar Patel picked up three wickets for 27 runs, sealing a comprehensive victory for India.
Brief Scores:
India 255/5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54; James Neesham 3/46) defeated New Zealand 159 in 19 overs (Tim Seifert 52, Mitchell Santner 43; Jasprit Bumrah 4/15) by 96 runs.
