India win record third T20 World Cup with crushing victory over New Zealand

My heart says India must win the T20 World Cup final. India are defenitely the favourites here. Playing at home, in front of a packed stadium and millions watching across the country, this is the moment Indian fans have been waiting for. The pressure is enormous and expectations are even bigger. If India lose the final on home soil, the disappointment will be massive.

But if I am being completely honest, there is also another feeling quietly sitting at the back of my mind. If India somehow loses, I would still feel happy for New Zealand.

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A cricketer in New Zealand made history with an extraordinary bowling spell, claiming six wickets in just eight deliveries — five of them in five consecutive balls.

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Tens of thousands of Indian cricket fans streamed toward the T20 World Cup final stadium Sunday and millions more will be glued to their televisions desperate to witness a historic home triumph. Read the article here

Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP), Sector-1, Ahmedabad City, Neeraj Kumar Badgujar told ANI, "More than 121 police officers and more than 2,000 police personnel will be deployed. Special barricades have been installed at gate numbers 1 and 2 where there is a large crowd, and police officers have been deployed so that people do not face any problems. There are more than 300 CCTV cameras throughout the stadium, which will monitor the match arrangements. Security arrangements have also been completed for VVIP security. Traffic police will also be deployed in large numbers on the roads."

Suryakumar Yadav, India: "It's obviously a special feeling that I'm going to lead tomorrow. Leading such a wonderful side into a final. That too on home soil. It's always a special feeling. Very excited. Of course, there are nerves. There will be butterflies in the stomach. But there's no pressure. There's no fun. I'm also very excited. And all the boys and support staff, everyone. I'm sure the whole of India is excited for tomorrow. We just want to keep everything very, very simple. Not to complicate. We've been trying to do a lot of good things. Trying to continue the same things. I think it has been a very long journey for me. And as I said again, leading India, that too in such a big event, a big occasion. I am very happy. Very happy for my family, also everyone."

Mitchell Santner, New Zealand: "That's the goal to silence the crowd, but there are a lot of challenges to cricket, and they are variable. I think there is a lot of pressure on India to win at home. I am pretty excited. We have played before. There are no secrets to it. The boys are buzzing for tomorrow. It is a one-game shootout tomorrow. Boys are excited."

A lot of stars have arrived for the big final. Among those early to reach the venue were former India captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Dhoni and Rohit were also at the ground to watch the semi-final match in Mumbai with his wife Sakshi, along with many other celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Anil Kapoor, and KL Rahul.

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav.

New Zealand: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

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The final will be played on the centre wicket, which also hosted the IPL 2025 final. Fortunately for Indian fans, this is not the same pitch where India suffered one of their biggest heartbreaks of the 2023 World Cup against Australia. The red-and-black soil surface is expected to favour batting, and the chasing team has won five out of eight matches played here. Over 100,000 spectators are expected at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Ahmedabad is forecast to be sweltering hot on Sunday, with temperatures reaching around 41°C during the day and cooling to 23°C at night. The skies are expected to stay mostly sunny, with intense afternoon sunshine. There’s little to no chance of rain, and conditions are expected to remain dry throughout the evening.

Santner wins the toss and opts to bowl first. Santner says, "This is what we play the game for, gonna be a great night, hopefully we'll put up a good show. We are looking forward to the night."

Suryakumar Yadav says "It's a big day and we are really excited."

In the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final, New Zealand pulled off a stunning nine-wicket win by chasing down 170 in just 12.5 overs. The chase was defined by Finn Allen, who hammered the fastest century in T20 World Cup history off only 33 balls.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Duffy, Lockie Ferguson

Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni alongside International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah bring the trophy to the middle. There's a huge roar from the crowd. The stadium already looks packed.

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad holds painful memories for Indian fans. The last ICC final played at this venue ended in heartbreak for the hosts.

In the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup final on November 19, India were defeated by Australia by six wickets. Batting first, India were bowled out for 240, but Australia comfortably chased the target, finishing on 241 for 4 to lift their sixth ODI World Cup title.

Sanju Samson will face Matt Henry here, with Abhishek Sharma at the other end. Matt Henry has the new ball in hand. Henry has dismissed Samson twice in three T20I innings with the batter scoring just 15 runs.

Lifted over mid on and the crowd erupts with joy

Sanju Samson takes four balls to get used to the pitch and then whacks one over the ropes. Steady start for the hosts. India 7/0 in 1 over

It's a pretty tight over from Glenn Phillips with Abhishek Sharma taking a cautious approach. He doesn't want to miss out on this big occasion, so taking his time.

India 12/0 in 2 overs.

This is the first time Phillips has ever bowled inside the powerplay in T20 internationals, adding an intriguing twist to the contest. No team in this World Cup has struggled against off spin as much as India, making this phase especially crucial. Just five runs from his first over.

Abhishek Sharma begins to open up. Two impressive back to back boundaries should give him a world of confidence. Sanju is not left behind as he gets a boundary too.

India 27/0 in 3 overs.

New Zealand turn to Lockie Ferguson for the fourth over, making him the fourth different bowler used so far. The Kiwis are constantly changing things up in the powerplay to keep the Indian batters guessing

It's all looking good for India at the moment. Abhishek Sharma pushes further with a brilliant boundary followed by a six. Sanju Samson also joins the party with a maximum and a boundary. Both the openers reach the 20s. The crowd is enjoying every moment of it. Just the start India were looking for.

India 51/0 in 4 overs.

New Zealand have already conceded five extras in the opening overs. A few loose deliveries creeping in here. Are the Kiwis starting to feel the pressure of the big occasion?

Kiwis are definitely feeling the pressure. Also, they have got Abhishek in form as well.

New Zealand bowlers are probably getting worked up with the left-right combination. They already have given away eight wides of which Henry has given four in this over. Shows the pressure in the middle. Abhishek Sharma reaches 31 as Sanju Samson is batting on 33.

India 72 in 5 overs.

It's raining sixes and fours. Abhishek Sharma is dealing with big shots as the lefthander races to an impressive half century. His 51 comes off just 19 balls consisting of six boundaries and three sixes.

India 92/0 in 6 overs.

Abhishek Sharma has smashed a breathtaking fifty off just 18 balls, the fastest ever in a T20 World Cup knockout match. The previous quickest in knockouts was 19 balls, achieved by Finn Allen against South Africa and Jacob Bethell against India in the semi finals. It is also the fastest half century recorded in this tournament

New Zealand finally have something to cheer. Abhishek Sharma goes as Rachin Ravindra strikes. Abhishek departs for 52 from 21 balls.

Ind 98/1 in 7.1 overs

India's run rate is looking great as they reach 100 for the loss of just one wicket. Ishan Kishan joining Sanju Samson in the middle.

Sanju Samson is playing some sensible cricket here.

India look to be cruising comfortably as the innings reaches half way mark. Sanju Samson looks set for another big haul as he reaches 48 from 30 balls. Ishan Kishan batting on 19.

India 127/1 in 10 overs.

India’s projected score has already climbed to 235, and the way the batters are going, another 250 plus total could be loading for the hosts. The pressure is firmly on New Zealand as India continue to attack.

New Zealand are also looking a bit sloppy in the field at the moment. A few missed stops and untidy moments are only adding to India’s momentum as the pressure continues to build

Another big knock when it mattered the most from Sanju Samson. Gets to his half century in 33 balls. His innings had four boundaries and three sixes. India 137/1 in 11 overs.

Sanju Samson has now become only the third player to score fifties in both the semi final and the final of a T20 World Cup. He is also just the second Indian player after Virat Kohli to achieve this remarkable milestone

Sanju Samson is on a roll as he hammers two consecutive sixes. Ishan Kishan also gets one to his credit as India's run rate is skyrocketing. The partnership for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan reaches 63.

It is a Sanju Samson show here. The man from God’s Own Country has just smashed a hat trick of sixes, sending the crowd into a frenzy and putting New Zealand under massive pressure.

India are 191 for 1 after 14 overs, with the projected total soaring to 272. The way Sanju Samson and company are batting, even the 300 mark no longer feels impossible. New Zealand are under serious pressure here, and if India keep finding the boundary at this rate, a record breaking total could well be on the cards

Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are batting at a different zone at the moment as their second wicket partnership reaches 100 in just 45 balls. Sanju on 88 off 44 balls while Ishan reaches his half century from just 23 balls including three boundaries and four sixes.

India 198/1 in 14.4 overs

Ishan Kishan fires a boundary as India reach the double-digit mark. India 203/1 in 15 overs.

A high full toss and Samson goes downtown, but the timing is not quite right. The ball goes straight to long on where McConchie takes an excellent catch and makes it look easy. Samson walks back to a standing ovation after a brilliant innings that lit up the final

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav departs the very first ball, soon after Ishan Kishan departs. James Neesham changing it for New Zealand. Kishan scores 54 from 25 balls.

India 204/4 in 16 overs.

What a moment in the final. Suryakumar Yadav tries his trademark pick up flick from outside off, but Rachin Ravindra produces a magnificent catch running around from deep backward square leg. SKY departs for a golden duck, caught by Ravindra off Neesham.

India 204/4 in 16 overs.

A moment of concern for New Zealand as Finn Allen tries to stop a powerful shot from Tilak Varma in the field. The ball struck him hard while attempting the stop, leaving Kiwi fans holding their breath for a moment. Hopefully he is okay and able to continue

Three quick wickets and things have suddenly changed into the Kiwis favour. Just 7 runs coming off that over from Jacob Duffy.

India 211/4 in 17 overs.

Boundaries have suddenly dried up for India, with just one coming in the last two overs. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya largely dealing in singles. Can India get past the 250-run mark. Looks highly difficult after the sudden collapse. India 220/4 in 18 overs.

10 balls left in the innings.

Hardik Pandya couldn't find his ground today as he depart offering a comfortable catch to Santner off Henry. He managed to score 18 off 13 balls.

India 226/5 in 18.2 overs.

Just 28 runs have come from the last four overs, a sensational fightback from New Zealand at the death. They will be feeling a lot better than they did 20 minutes ago after pulling things back brilliantly. Now the focus is on finishing strongly, as they would not want to concede more than 10 or 12 in the final over. Jimmy Neesham will bowl the last over

India 231/5

Shivam Dube (26 off 8 balls) provides a final over entertainment smashing two sixes and three boundaries to help India cross the 250-run mark

Indian openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India a rousing start as the Men in Blue posted a brilliant 255 for five against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Both Samson and Sharma took the aggressive approach as they added 98 runs for the opening wicket before the left hander Sharma depart for 52 from 21 balls consisting of six boundaries and three sixes.

Samson was joined by Ishan Kishan and the duo further accelerated the scoring as they quickly added 105 runs for the second wicket. Kishan scored four boundaries and an equal number of sixes to score 54 off just 25 balls.

Samson was unlucky to miss out on his century again as he departed for 89 from 46 balls peppered with five boundaries and eight sixes.

But a sudden fall of wickets suddenly dropped the Indian run flow before Shivam Dube (28) provided some entertainment in the final over to help India reach 255/5 in 20 overs.

India finish with the highest T20 score ever recorded in Ahmedabad. It is also the third highest team total in the history of the T20 World Cup. The score is just slightly higher than the massive total India piled up against England in Mumbai three nights ago

Mahela Jayawardene in 2010 and Sanju Samson in 2026 are the only two players to record three consecutive scores of 80 or more in a T20 World Cup. Gustav McKeon also had a remarkable run in 2022, but only Jayawardene and Samson have managed this rare milestone on the biggest stage

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen in the middle as New Zealand chase a huge target of 256. A very cautious approach from the openers against Arshdeep Singh. Allen gets a life after a high catch is dropped by Shivam Dube

New Zealand 4/0 in 1 over

Seifert takes charge. Two consecutive sixes suddenly sends the crowd into complete silence. Follows it up with successive boundaries. 20 runs coming off that over of Hardik Pandya.

New Zealand 25/0 in 2 overs.

That's a big wicket for India as the stadium erupts in joy. Finn Allen is caught by Tilak Varma off Axar Patel's bowling. So change of bowling did the trick.

New Zealand 31/1 in 2.4 overs.

Rachin Ravindra departs. New Zealand look to be in trouble here at the moment. A brilliant diving catch from Ishan Kishan.

New Zealand 33/2 in 3.2 overs

Two quick wickets have suddenly changed the odds in India's favour. The Kiwis need a big innings from someone if they are to come back into the match. Bumrah again in the spotlight for brilliant opening over. Just three runs and wicket from it.

New Zealand 35/2 in 4 overs.

That's another blow for New Zealand as Axar Patel continues to shine. His second wicket is Glenn Phillips is clean bowled. The home boy is enjoying every moment of it.

New Zealand 47/3 in 4.5 overs

Another fine over by Jasprit Bumrah. Every slow over is shooting up the required run rate. New Zealand need 204 in 84 balls. New Zealand 52/3 in 6 overs.

Two sixes and Tim Seifert reaches his half century in style off just 23 balls. His innings has five sixes and two boundaries.

New Zealand 68/3 in 7 overs.

Hardik Pandya this time as he removes Mark Chapman for just 3. The Kiwis need 186 runs in 74 balls now.

New Zealand 70/4 in 7.4 overs

The chase is collapsing for New Zealand as they lose the man in form. Tim Seifert departs for 52. Amazing catch by Ishan Kishan again in the deep. So its now getting very difficult for the Kiwis as they need 180 from 69 balls.

New Zealand 76/5 in 8.3 overs

Catches win matches, and Ishan Kishan showed exactly why. The wicketkeeper, stationed on the boundary line, pulled off two brilliant catches to shift the momentum firmly in India’s favour.

Things are getting difficult for the Kiwis with the required run rate shooting up over 16. They need 167 runs from 59 balls. New Zealand 88/5 in 10 overs.

Two back to back sixes from Mitchell offers some hope to New Zealand, but with a huge target to chase, they need those shots coming quite often. New Zealand 103/5 in 11 overs.

Skipper Santner not giving up on the chase as he reaches 26 off 15 balls. He and Mitchell have shared a crucial 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

New Zealand 119/5 in 12 overs.

Axar Patel turning out to be the super star for India as he picks his third wicket. Ishan Kishan again in the deep completing the formality. Mitchell departs for 17 from 11 balls.

New Zealand 128/6 in 13 overs.

The match is turning out to be a lop-sided affair. Needing 122 from 36 balls, it's become a Herculean task for New Zealand. Santner is the only hope in the middle but given the mounting required run rate which is over 20 now, he will need an exceptional innings to get the Kiwis back on track.

New Zealand 134/6 in 14 overs

New Zealand need 117 from 30 balls. Santner also unable to accelerate the scoring rate. He reaches 35 from 25 balls.

New Zealand 139/6 in 15 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah strikes twice as he sends James Neesham and Matt Henry packing in two successive deliveries. It's all but over for New Zealand now. Bumrah has three wickets now. He is on a hatrick

New Zealand 141/8 in 15.4 overs.

Bumrah strikes again to send skipper Santner back to the pavilion. That's a fourth one for the Indian pacer.

New Zealand 153/9 in 17.3 overs.

4 overs. 15 runs. 4 wickets.

That is like adding salt into the wounds

India have made history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup in consecutive editions. They have also become the first team to lift the trophy on home soil, making the triumph even more special for the thousands of fans celebrating in the stadium

The decision to field first backfired for the Kiwis as they gave away 255 runs and then fumbled badly in the chase handing India their third T20 World Cup title.

Chasing 256 to win, New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals with only Tim Seifert (52, 26b, 2x4, 5x6) and skipper Mitchell Santner (43, 35b, 3x4, 2x6) coming good with the bat.

India were exceptional on the field particularly Ishan Kishan who took three catches in the deep.

Jasprit Bumrah claimed four wickets while home boy Axar Patel took three as New Zealand could were shot out for 159 in 19 overs.

Earlier, Sanju Samson smashed a blistering 89 from 46 balls as India piled up a huge 255-5.

The in-form Samson, who had scored 97 not out and 89 in his previous two innings, thrilled a crowd with a knock featuring five fours and eight sixes.

Samson and Abhishek Sharma laid the foundation with a rapid 98-run opening partnership. Sharma blasted 52 from just 21 balls as India raced to one of the tournament’s highest totals, surpassing their previous best of 256 against Zimbabwe national cricket team in the Super Eights.

After being put in to bat, Abhishek waited just an over before launching an aggressive assault, with Samson joining him to dispatch the bowlers around the ground. India surged to 92 in the six-over powerplay, when only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle.

Rachin Ravindra eventually broke the stand with his left-arm spin, dismissing Abhishek caught behind shortly after the opener reached his second fifty of the tournament.

Samson then partnered with Ishan Kishan, who struck 54, as the pair again tore into the New Zealand national cricket team attack. Samson reached his third consecutive half-century and stepped up the tempo by hammering Ravindra for three successive sixes.

Jimmy Neesham briefly pulled things back for New Zealand with three wickets in a single over. He dismissed Samson, Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav — the latter two falling on consecutive deliveries, with Yadav out for a duck.

However, Shivam Dube provided a late flourish, smashing an unbeaten 26 from just eight balls. His explosive finish included three fours and two sixes off Neesham in the final ver, pushing India to a formidable total.