India etched their name in cricket’s record books by becoming the first men’s team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title, routing New Zealand by 96 runs in a final played before a packed crowd of 100,000 fans. The one-sided contest unfolded exactly as the home side scripted it, with bat and ball firing in near-perfect unison. It was a night that will live long in Indian cricket memory.
New Zealand’s campaign ended in heartbreak once again, making it four World Cup finals across formats since 2015 without a single victory. Their bowlers were hammered for 255 runs, and their batters never came close to mounting a challenge. The result was a foregone conclusion long before the final over was bowled.
Sanju Samson anchored India’s batting display with a composed 89 off 46 balls, while Abhishek Sharma blazed to a half-century off just 18 deliveries to set the tone in the powerplay. Ishan Kishan added 54 off 25 balls, and the trio made New Zealand’s bowling attack look helpless. India reached 92 without loss after six overs, equalling the highest powerplay score in World Cup history.
Jasprit Bumrah then turned in one of his finest performances with the ball, taking three wickets with beautifully disguised slow yorkers that bamboozled New Zealand’s top order. His control under pressure was extraordinary, and it came as no surprise when he was named the player of the match. India’s bowling unit, as ever, backed up the batters brilliantly.
This victory confirmed India as the dominant force in the shortest format of the game. Winning at home, in front of their own fans, made the achievement even sweeter. They are, without question, the champions of champions in T20 cricket.