India triumphed over New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8. The Men in Blue made history by becoming the first team to defend their title successfully, and they also celebrated their third championship win.

Choosing to bowl first, New Zealand aimed for early breakthroughs, but things didn’t go as planned. Instead, Abhishek Sharma rose to the occasion, delivering an explosive half-century. Sanju Samson also shone brightly, playing a remarkable innings under pressure.

The opening partnership was a force to be reckoned with, racking up 98 runs in just 7 overs. After Abhishek was out for 52 off 21 balls, Samson and Ishan Kishan took charge, unleashing a barrage of runs against the Kiwis. They piled on 105 runs in a mere 48 deliveries, with Samson smashing 89 off 46 balls and Kishan contributing a quick-fire 54 off just 25 balls. Shivam Dube also played a vital role, finishing with an unbeaten 26 off 8 balls.

In response, Tim Seifert showcased his power-hitting skills, scoring 52 off only 26 balls. Unfortunately for New Zealand, the rest of the top order struggled to make an impact. Mitchell Santner added a respectable 43 off 35 balls, but India had set an imposing target.

Jasprit Bumrah was in top form once again, claiming four wickets while conceding just 15 runs in his four overs. This performance marked his best figures in T20I cricket. The Men in Blue wrapped up the Kiwis for 159 runs in 19 overs, securing the title in style.