India had no trouble in beating New Zealand in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The defending champions secured a 96-run win to lift the trophy for the third time, becoming the first team to register the milestone. Chasing 256, the Kiwis were dismissed for 159 in front of the packed house.
With their recent triumph, India are the first team to successfully defend their title and also lift the trophy at home. The Kiwis were never in the game and ended up conceding 255 runs in 20 overs, with Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan scoring half-centuries.
A lot was expected from New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, but the early dismissal of the former put the visiting team on the back foot. Although Seifert scored a fifty, it was not enough.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner managed 43 runs off 35 balls.
India defeated New Zealand for the first time in the history of the T20 World Cup, having lost three previous games.
Jasprit Bumrah took 4 wickets while Axar Patel dismissed three batters for the co-host.
More to follow