A dominant India secured a historic victory by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This win marked India’s third world crown and the first time a team has retained the T20 World Cup title. The match, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, saw India’s remarkable performance in front of 86,824 fans.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav led India to victory, becoming the fourth Indian to achieve this feat in men’s cricket World Cup history. Under his captaincy since July 2024, India has not lost a single series, showcasing their dominance in the shortest format. India’s win over New Zealand broke two significant streaks – their first victory against New Zealand in a Men’s T20 World Cup match and a triumph in Ahmedabad after two previous ICC white-ball defeats.
India’s imposing total of 255/5 was powered by Sanju Samson’s explosive 89 off 46 balls, supported by Abhishek Sharma’s 52 off 21 balls and Ishan Kishan’s 54 off 25 balls. The bowlers then dismantled New Zealand, restricting them to 159 all out in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel played pivotal roles in India’s victory by decimating New Zealand’s top order, ensuring a comprehensive win for the home team.
In a display of exceptional form, Samson’s stellar performance in the tournament included two previous innings of 97 not out and 89. The opening stand of 98 with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan’s aggressive batting further solidified India’s dominance. Despite a brief challenge from James Neesham, who took three wickets in an over, India’s strong batting lineup, including Shivam Dube’s quick 26 off eight balls, propelled them to a historic victory.
