Legendary cricketers MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma presented the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy jointly before the final match between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium. The crowd erupted in cheers as the two iconic players showcased the gleaming silverware. Dhoni, who led India to victory in the inaugural 2007 edition, stood alongside Rohit, the captain of the 2024 winning team.
Apart from Dhoni and Rohit, ICC chairman Jay Shah and JioStar vice-chairman Uday Shankar, the tournament’s ambassador, also displayed the trophy on the pedestal before the teams emerged for the national anthems. Renowned playback singer Kavitha Krishnamurthy delivered a moving rendition of the Indian national anthem. In the final match, New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl against defending champions India.
The Blackcaps made a change by including pacer Jacob Duffy in place of off-spin bowling all-rounder Cole McConchie. India retained the same lineup from their narrow seven-run victory over England in the semi-finals at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The pre-final ceremony featured a performance by global pop star Ricky Martin, who entertained the crowd with hits like “Livin’ la Vida Loca” and “María,” culminating with “La Copa de la Vida.”
Indian artists Sukhbir Singh and Falguni Pathak also graced the closing ceremony with their performances. Sukhbir enthralled the audience with his popular Punjabi tracks, including “Oh Ho Ho Ho,” while Falguni, known as the Dandiya Queen, showcased a blend of Gujarati folk music and Bollywood songs. The final match concludes a 20-team tournament where India progressed through the knockout stages after a loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad. New Zealand, aiming for their first Men’s T20 World Cup title, are making their second appearance in the final.
