Ahmedabad: The India national cricket team created history on Sunday by defeating the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

With the emphatic victory, India became the first team in history to win the T20 World Cup in consecutive editions and also the first side to lift the trophy three times. The triumph was even more special for the hosts as India became the first nation to win a T20 World Cup on home soil.

As the final wicket fell, Indian players sprinted toward the boundary where substitutes and support staff had gathered. More than 86,000 fans at the stadium erupted in celebration, waving Indian flags and chanting slogans, erasing the painful memories of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Final defeat against Australia national cricket team at the same venue.

India’s batting dominance sets the tone

Earlier in the evening, India delivered a breathtaking batting performance, posting 255/5 — the highest total ever in a T20 World Cup final — leaving New Zealand with a daunting target of 256.

Sanju Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament, led the charge with a commanding 89 off 46 balls, continuing his outstanding form throughout the competition. Opening alongside him, Abhishek Sharma provided a lightning start with a rapid half-century, while Ishan Kishan added further firepower with an aggressive fifty.

The trio’s combined assault highlighted India’s transformation into one of the most formidable batting units in T20 cricket.

Bowlers seal emphatic win

Defending the massive total, India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to seal the title. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Axar Patel led the attack as New Zealand were bowled out for 159 with one over remaining.

New Zealand’s chase never gained real momentum despite a fighting half-century from Tim Seifert. Their bowlers had earlier struggled to contain India’s explosive batting lineup, and the batting unit was unable to mount a serious challenge in reply.

The defeat marks another heartbreaking chapter for New Zealand in major tournaments. It was their fifth white-ball final in the past 11 years, yet they once again fell short of lifting the trophy.

For India, however, the night belonged to a team that has dominated the T20 format over the past two years, sealing its place in cricketing history with a commanding championship defense