The T20 World Cup 2026 final witnessed batting pyrotechnics as India’s Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan dismantled New Zealand’s bowling, amassing 255/5 and a towering 256-run target in Ahmedabad on March 8. Toss winner Mitchell Santner opted to bowl, but his side was blown away at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Abhishek and Samson opened with ruthless intent, piling 98 in 7.1 overs. Abhishek’s 52 (21 balls, 6×4, 3×6) was explosive. Samson carried on, smashing 89 (46 balls, 5×4, 8×6) – his third successive fifty – in a 105-run blitz with Ishan (54 off 25, 4×4, 4×6) over 48 balls, surging past 200.
The 16th over proved pivotal: Samson dismissed first up, Ishan fifth ball, Suryakumar Yadav last for nought, slumping India to 204/4. Tilak Varma’s composure shone through, partnering Hardik Pandya for 22 (Pandya 18) and sealing with 29* alongside Shivam Dube (26*), crafting the highest knockout score in T20 World Cup history.
Neesham starred for NZ with 3/46; Ravindra and Henry chipped in with 1 each. Unaltered India lineup contrasted NZ’s Duffy-for-McConchie tweak.
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
NZ: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (capt), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.
New Zealand’s chase looms large – a test of nerve against India’s firepower.