A brutal batting masterclass led by Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma shattered New Zealand’s hopes as India lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after a breathtaking final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in front of more than 86,000 roaring fans.
India 255/5 (20 overs) – RR 12.75
Top scorers: Sanju Samson 89 (46), Ishan Kishan 54 (25), Abhishek Sharma 52 (21), Shivam Dube 26* (8)
Key wickets: James Neesham 3/46 (11.50), Rachin Ravindra 1/32 (16.00), Matt Henry 1/49 (12.25)
New Zealand 159 all out (19 overs) – RR 8.36
Top scorers: Tim Seifert 52 (26), Mitchell Santner 43 (35), Daryl Mitchell 17 (11)
Key wickets: Jasprit Bumrah 4/15 (3.75), Axar Patel 3/27 (9.00), Hardik Pandya 1/36 (9.00)
India produced one of the most dominant performances in ICC T20 World Cup history to defeat New Zealand by a massive 96 runs and claim the 2025/26 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in Ahmedabad.
Under the bright lights of the Narendra Modi Stadium, India’s top order unleashed an unforgettable display of power hitting that left the New Zealand bowlers struggling for answers from the very beginning.
After New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner elected to field first, India immediately seized control through an explosive opening partnership between Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
The pair raced to 98 runs inside the first 7.1 overs, demolishing the Kiwi bowling attack with fearless strokeplay.
Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a blistering 52 from just 21 balls, smashing six boundaries and three towering sixes at a strike rate of 247.61 before falling to Rachin Ravindra.
However, the fireworks were far from over.
Sanju Samson continued the assault, playing one of the most destructive innings ever seen in a T20 World Cup final. The wicketkeeper-batsman hammered 89 off 46 balls, striking five fours and eight massive sixes while controlling the innings with calm authority.
Ishan Kishan added further momentum with a powerful 54 from 25 balls as India surged past the 200-run mark with ease.
Although James Neesham briefly slowed India’s charge by claiming three wickets, Shivam Dube delivered the final blow in the closing overs with an explosive unbeaten 26 from just eight balls, including two sixes and three fours.
India finished with a colossal total of 255 for 5, the highest score ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.
Chasing a record target of 256, New Zealand needed a miracle.
Tim Seifert provided early hope with a counterattacking 52 from 26 balls, blasting five sixes and two boundaries in an aggressive attempt to keep the chase alive.
But once the early wickets began to fall, the pressure quickly mounted.
Axar Patel delivered a decisive spell, removing Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell and Finn Allen to derail the chase. Meanwhile Jasprit Bumrah produced a bowling masterclass, ripping through the middle and lower order with remarkable control.
Bumrah finished with extraordinary figures of 4 for 15, dismantling the New Zealand lineup and effectively ending the contest before the final overs.
Despite a fighting 43 from captain Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
The massive 96-run victory sealed India’s triumph and confirmed their dominance throughout the tournament.
The final, played before a packed crowd of 86,824 spectators in Ahmedabad, showcased the explosive evolution of modern T20 cricket while highlighting India’s remarkable batting depth and bowling precision.
With this commanding performance, India were crowned champions of the 2025/26 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, delivering a historic night that will be remembered as one of the greatest finals in the tournament’s history.
