India rout New Zealand to be crowned as T20 World Champions for second consecutive time

After a blockbuster display of lopsided dominion in Ahmedabad, Team India powered to a humdinger win in the T20 World Cup 2026 grand finale, beating New Zealand in the summit clash. With this victory, India also became the first team ever in the tournament's history to lift the title on home soil.

Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first in the grand finale. India went in with an unchanged XI from the side that was a part of the semi-final clash against England. The Men in Blue knuckled down to business straightaway as the Kiwis struggled to find their rhythm.

Abhishek Sharma came all guns blazing sending the Blackcaps on a retreat while Sanju Samson carried on with his dream form at the other end. Sharma blasted 52 off just 21 balls, rocking six fours and three sixes while Samson amped up the charge further, propelling India to a solid opening stand.

The duo added 98 runs from just 7.1 overs before Rachin Ravindra could finally make some inroads. Ishan Kishan walked in next and started exactly from were Abhishek left. Samson and Ishan displayed a show of carnage, leaving the Kiwis scratching their heads for answers.

Samson rocked 89 from just 46 balls while Ishan Kishan smashed 54 off 25, hammering four fours and four sixes. A century partnership between Samson and Ishan Kishan set the tone of the game perfectly as India motored along at jet speed. Eventually after much to and fro, New Zealand had something to look forward to as James Neesham struck thrice in the 16th over to push India back slightly.

He claimed the scalps of Samson, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav (0) as the Men in Blue had to steady the ship once more. Hardik Pandya played an instrumental role in doing so, scoring a quickfire 18 while providing India with the much-needed platform to accelerate in the final overs. Shivam Dube took the opportunity head on and went after the Blackcaps with extreme prejudice. He smashed 26 off just eight balls, whacking three fours and two sixes.

Out of the 28 runs that he scored, 24 off them came in the final over of the innings, as India totted up a staggering 255/5 at the end of 20 overs. With a monumental ask, Mitchell Santner and company had to hunker down to work from the word ‘go’ if they were to stand a chance of challenging India’s crown.

Tim Seifert started on a belligerent note, providing the visitors with ample fireworks at the start. However, India quickly retaliated as Axar Patel claimed Finn Allen (9) who was the Player of the Match for New Zealand in the semi-final. Even before the visitors could rally themselves back, they were hit again and this time it was Jasprit Bumrah who got the better of Rachin Ravindra (1) to complicate matters for New Zealand. Much to their woes, Glenn Phillips (5) was back to the pavilion in no time at all as India bolstered their hold on the game.

Mark Chapman (3) was the next to fall, leaving Seifert stranded at one end. After smashing a well-orchestrated knock of 52 from 26 balls, Seifert succumbed to the growing pressure with Varun Chakravarthy dismissing him. Daryl Mitchell (17) and Mitchell Santner (43) were the last shards of resistance for the visitors, adding 52 runs for the sixth wicket.

However, with a mountain to climb, New Zealand’s scoring rate wasn’t rapid enough to make India sweat. Soon, the growing partnership of Mitchell and Santner buckled under pressure as Axar Patel struck to remove the former. From thereon it was a mere formality for Team India. Bumrah returned with a solid second spell, claiming three wickets as New Zealand was put out of their misery with an over to spare.

India bundled the Kiwis out for 159, winning the game by 96 runs. Bumrah’s spell of 4-0-15-4 was the pick of the lot for the Indian bowling attack. He was also the Player of the Match for the final for his scintillating performance with the bat in his hands while Sanju Samson secured the Player of the Tournament award for his incredible performance with the bat.