Indias national cricket team captured a record third title at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand’s national cricket team in front of more than 100,000 spectators at the world’s largest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, India piled up an imposing 255-5, driven by opener Sanju Samson who blasted 89 from 46 balls, including eight sixes, to record his third consecutive half-century.

New Zealand’s chase never gathered momentum and the side was bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah delivered a devastating spell of 4-15 from four overs, while spinner Axar Patel claimed 3-27 from three overs. Opener Tim Seifert provided the lone highlight for New Zealand with 52 off 26 balls.

The triumph adds to India’s previous titles in 2007 and 2024, further cementing its dominance in the tournament.

New Zealand had been chasing its first T20 World Cup title, having previously finished runner-up in the 2021 final, where it lost to Australia national cricket team in Dubai.

India’s batters on fire

India’s total became the third-highest score in T20 World Cup history, though the defending champions might have felt they left runs on the table after such a dominant start.

Openers Abhishek Sharma and Samson raced to 92 without loss in the first six overs, the highest powerplay score ever recorded in a T20 World Cup match. India’s top three batters combined for 15 sixes, while the team struck 18 sixes overall.

By the 15th over India had surged to 203-1, before James Neesham sparked a brief comeback with three wickets in the 16th over, finishing with 3-46. He dismissed Samson and also removed Ishan Kishan, who scored 54 off 25 balls, and captain Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck.

Sharma produced a spectacular 52 from just 21 balls, while Shivam Dube smashed 26 not out from eight deliveries late in the innings. Neesham endured a difficult final over, conceding 24 runs as India surged past 250.

With the victory, India became the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title and also the first nation to win the tournament on home soil. The 2026 edition was jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Captain Yadav joined the elite company of former Indian skippers MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as leaders to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.