AHMEDABAD, March 8 – India became the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title, overwhelming New Zealand by 96 runs in the final on Sunday before a capacity crowd of over 100,000 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Powered by Sanju Samson’s blistering 89 off 46 balls, India posted a mammoth 255-5, the highest-ever score in a T20 World Cup final. In response, New Zealand’s chase never gained momentum against a clinical Indian bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel, eventually folding for 159.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Batters | Top Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 255/5 (20.0) | Sanju Samson (89), Ishan Kishan (54), Abhishek Sharma (52) | Jasprit Bumrah (4/15), Axar Patel (3/27) |
| New Zealand | 159 (19.0) | Tim Seifert (52), Mitchell Santner (43) | James Neesham (3/46) |
Samson Leads Batting Charge
After being asked to bat, India’s top order took full advantage of a true surface. Openers
Sanju Samson and
Abhishek Sharma set a furious pace, with Sharma smashing a 21-ball 52. Samson, who struck eight sixes and five boundaries, anchored the innings with a brilliant 89, the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final.
Ishan Kishan contributed a quickfire 54 off 25 deliveries, while
Shivam Dube provided the finishing flourish, smashing an unbeaten 26 off just eight balls, including 24 runs in the final over bowled by
James Neesham
Neesham was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 3-46, including a triple-wicket 16th over that briefly slowed India’s progress.
New Zealand Falter in Daunting Chase
Facing a required run rate of nearly 13 per over, New Zealand lost early wickets.
Finn Allen fell for 9 to
Axar Patel, and
Rachin Ravindra followed shortly after, caught brilliantly by
Ishan Kishan off
Jasprit Bumrah.
Tim Seifert offered the only significant resistance for the Black Caps, striking five sixes in a 26-ball 52. However, his dismissal by
Varun Chakravarthy signaled the end of any realistic comeback. Bumrah finished with clinical figures of 4-15, while
Axar Patel claimed 3-27 as New Zealand were bowled out in the 19th over.
The victory marks India’s third T20 World Cup crown, following their wins in 2007 and 2024, solidifying their status as the dominant force in the shortest format.
Leave feedback about this