Dominance defined India’s path to a record third T20 World Cup title, as they crushed New Zealand by 96 runs in a one-sided final at Narendra Modi Stadium. Posting 255-5—the highest knockout score ever—India watched the Kiwis fold for 159 in 19 overs, claiming their first home T20 WC glory and back-to-back crowns.
New Zealand’s pursuit of 256 began disastrously. Finn Allen’s 9 ended to Axar Patel, Rachin Ravindra’s 1 to the same bowler. Glenn Phillips (5), Mark Chapman (3 via Hardik Pandya), and Daryl Mitchell (17) failed miserably. Tim Seifert’s counter-attacking 52 (26 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes) offered hope before Varun Chakravarthy induced a catch to Ishan Kishan. James Neesham (8) and Matt Henry (0) flopped, leaving captain Mitchell Santner stranded on 43 off 35.
Jasprit Bumrah’s 4 wickets for 15 runs earned man-of-the-match whispers, with Axar Patel’s 3-27 pivotal. Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy shared the rest, dismantling the opposition.
Batting first after losing toss, openers Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21) and Sanju Samson (89 off 46: 5×4, 8×6) piled 98 in 7.1 overs. Samson etched his name as the top scorer in a T20 WC final. Ishan Kishan hammered 54 off 25 at 216 strike rate (4×4, 4×6), offsetting Suryakumar Yadav’s golden duck and Hardik’s 18. Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 26 off 8 sealed the massive total.
This victory—third after 2007 and 2024—positions India as the only team with consecutive T20 World Cup wins. Ahmedabad’s sea of blue fans witnessed a masterclass in all facets of the game.