New Zealand captain Mitch Santner conceded that India outperformed his team in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, resulting in a 96-run loss at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Despite the defeat, Santner expressed pride in his players’ efforts and appreciated the support from fans back home.
Santner recognized the overwhelming performance of India, who scored 255/5 on a challenging pitch, while New Zealand struggled and were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. He thanked the Blackcaps fans for their unwavering support, emphasizing the significance of fan backing during tough times.
Reflecting on the loss, Santner acknowledged the tough competition faced by New Zealand, especially against a formidable team like India in the final. He highlighted the challenges encountered during the match, particularly the impact of losing wickets early on, which ultimately influenced the outcome.
Looking ahead, New Zealand will shift focus to the upcoming ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, followed by the 11th edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted with Australia in 2028. Santner commended his team for reaching the final and expressed optimism for future tournaments, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on their performance for growth.
