In the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand, Team India secured a dominating victory by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
During the match, Team India`s in-form batsman Ishan Kishan delivered another stupendous knock in the tournament. Facing 25 balls, the left-handed batsman scored 54 runs, laced with four boundaries and the same number of maximums.
Speaking after the triumph, Kishan said that it has been a rollercoaster ride for him.
“To be very honest, the moment I got out of the team, it was a long journey for me. Coming from domestic cricket, making it back to the team, playing this tournament and winning the championship, it`s been a rollercoaster,” he said.
“I think we need to win more of these championships because these are the moments I will never forget in my life. I`m very happy, and so is the team, and we`ll want to do it again and again,” added the 27-year-old cricketer.
This was the first time a team successfully defended their shortest-format world title. The “Men in Blue” also became the first team to clinch the title three times (2007, 2024, and 2026). India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil.
Batting first, the “Men in Blue” posted a mammoth total of 256 runs for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan smashed half-centuries. Facing 46 balls, Samson scored 89 runs with the help of five boundaries and eight maximums. Abhishek also garnered 52 runs in 21 balls, including six boundaries and three maximums. Ishan smashed 54 runs off 25 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and four maximums. Later, burly all-rounder Shivam Dube also played a fiery cameo of an unbeaten 26 runs in just eight deliveries.
Chasing a target of 256, New Zealand was bowled out for 159 runs in 19 overs. Team India`s lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned with figures of four for 15 in four overs. Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Abhishek also chipped in with one wicket each.
(With ANI Inputs)
