Ahmedabad, March 8, 2026: Defending champions India national cricket team posted a massive 255/5 in 20 overs against New Zealand national cricket team in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opted to field first after winning the toss, but the decision proved costly as India’s batters unleashed a relentless assault on the bowlers.
India got off to a flying start with openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson putting together a blistering 98-run opening partnership in just seven overs.
Sharma smashed 52 off 21 balls, striking six fours and three sixes, before being dismissed on the first delivery of the eighth over when Rachin Ravindra had him caught behind.
After Sharma’s departure, Ishan Kishan joined Samson at the crease and the pair continued the aggressive approach. The duo stitched together a 105-run partnership for the second wicket in just 47 deliveries.
Samson led the charge with a superb 89 off 46 balls, hammering eight sixes and five fours. Kishan also impressed with a quickfire 54 off 25 balls, including four sixes and four boundaries.
James Neesham provided some relief for New Zealand by dismissing both Samson and Kishan in the 16th over. He then struck again to remove India captain Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck, briefly slowing India’s momentum at 204/4.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya contributed 18 runs before being dismissed in the penultimate over. Toward the end, Shivam Dube provided a powerful finish with an unbeaten 26 off just eight balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
Neesham was the most successful bowler for New Zealand, finishing with 3/46 in four overs, while Ravindra and Matt Henry picked up one wicket each.
New Zealand now face a daunting task of chasing 256 runs to deny India another T20 World Cup title.
