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New Delhi: It was a performance for the ages as India mauled New Zealand to win the T20 World Cup 2026 title , clinching their third trophy and second in a row with a dominant 96-run victory in a lop-sided
final on Sunday, March 08. Suryakumar Yadav & Co. scripted history by becoming the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title, while also becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup at home.
India produced a stunning performance with the bat and followed it up with an even better show with the ball to wrap up a thumping victory in the final. Indian batters went all guns blazing in the final to propel the hosts to a record total of 255/5 in 20 overs, before the bowlers produced a combined effort to bowl out the Kiwis for 159 runs with an over to spare.
Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma went bonkers with the bat to get India off to a flyer in the Powerplay and set the tone for a big total. Abhishek smashed the fastest-ever fifty in a T20 World Cup final off just 18 balls and finished with 52 off 21 balls, while Samson continued his red-hot form with a brilliant 89-run knock of just 46 deliveries.
Samson slammed the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final. Ishan Kishan joined the party at no.3 with a quickfire 54 off 25 as the top three powered India to 255/5, the highest total in a final in the tournament's history. New Zealand had little chance in the mammoth chase, and the Kiwis ended up succumbing under pressure as Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel picked up seven wickets between them to secure a historic win for India.
India end the Ahmedabad hoodoo
Heading into the final, there was a lot of talk surrounding India's poor record in finals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With the wounds of the 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat still fresh in the minds of Indian cricket fans, the venue didn't inspire confidence for many. However, India produced a clinical effort in the final this time around to ensure the hoodoo ended once and for all.
Besides their final loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup, India also faced their only defeat in the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, India turned their heartbreak into history at the same venue with a record-breaking performance in the final that will be remembered in the times to come.
The New Zealand curse ends
India also ended their curse against New Zealand with their memorable victory in Ahmedabad. The Men in Blue had not beaten the Kiwis in a T20 World Cup game before Sunday. They had lost all three matches against New Zealand in the tournament over the years. However, India brought an end to the losing streak in the final on Sunday.
Apart from becoming the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups and the first to do it at home, India also became the first team to win three titles. India were tied with England and West Indies at two titles apiece. The Men in Blue now hold the record for most T20 World Cup titles with three trophies in their cabinet.
