On a mixed soil pitch, New Zealand bowlers were taken to the cleaners as India posted a massive 255/5 before the visitors were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. Santner also thanked the Black Caps fans back home for their well-wishes, as New Zealand again missed out on a white-ball World Cup trophy.

"We were outplayed. It's thanks to the fans back home for following us. I might have to go to work, obviously, without a trophy, but we've obviously great support back home, and we get great support here as well. "It was awesome to play in front of so many people that obviously had a lot of blue shirts on and not many black shirts, but again it's always a great occasion and it's always cool for us to play in front of so many people. It obviously wasn't our greatest effort as we came up against a very good team, but I am thanking the fans back home," said Santner.

The Black Caps had defeated South Africa by nine wickets in the semifinals in Kolkata to reach the decider with confidence but were undone by India's mighty batting power and Jasprit Bumrah's incisive bowling.

"I guess it's not ideal but like I said the other day, you get to this situation, and you're coming up against teams that are also playing very good cricket. India in a final, and India is always going to be a challenge.We knew that definitely going into the game." Agencies