India win T20 World Cup 2026
It is also the first time a host nation has lifted the trophy, while India became the first side to defend the title successfully.
KATHMANDU: India national cricket team claimed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title after a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand national cricket team in the final at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
The triumph marks India’s third T20 World Cup title, following their victories in 2007 and 2024, and makes them the first team to win the tournament three times.
It is also the first time a host nation has lifted the trophy, while India became the first side to defend the title successfully.
India post massive total
After New Zealand won the toss and chose to field, India produced a powerful batting display, finishing on 255 for 5 — one of the highest totals in a T20 World Cup final.
Sanju Samson led the charge with an unbeaten 89 off 46 balls, striking five fours and eight sixes.
Opening batter Abhishek Sharma gave India an explosive start, smashing 52 from just 21 balls, including six boundaries and three sixes.
Ishan Kishan added further momentum with 54 off 25 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, however, fell for zero as New Zealand briefly fought back.
In the closing overs, Shivam Dube delivered a late surge, finishing unbeaten on 26 from 8 balls, including a dramatic final over against Jimmy Neesham that yielded 24 runs.
New Zealand collapse under pressure
Chasing a daunting 256-run target, New Zealand struggled to keep pace with the required run rate and were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
Opener Tim Seifert provided the only major resistance, scoring a brisk 52 from 26 balls, but lacked support from the rest of the batting line-up.
India’s bowling attack then sealed the match, led by fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who produced a superb spell of 4 for 15 in four overs.
Historic night for India
The emphatic victory capped another dominant campaign for India, reinforcing their position as one of the most successful sides in the tournament’s history.
Winning the 2026 final on home soil in Ahmedabad added a historic dimension to the triumph — a moment that will likely be remembered as one of the most significant achievements in India’s T20 cricket history.
