"We have the love from them."
India emphatically defended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title after thrashing New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad.
Playing in front of more than 100,000 supporters at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the co-hosts posted 255/5 after being put into bat.
The total was two runs higher than the one they produced in the semi-final victory over England.
India’s top order took full advantage of favourable batting conditions.
Sanju Samson led the scoring with 89 from 46 deliveries.
Abhishek Sharma struck a rapid 52 from 21 balls, while Ishan Kishan added 54 from 25 deliveries. Their contributions ensured India built a strong platform early in the innings.
New Zealand briefly slowed the scoring in the 16th over when Jimmy Neesham claimed three wickets. His spell reduced the chance of India pushing their total even higher.
However, Shivam Dube added late momentum by hitting 24 runs in the final over. India closed their innings on 255/5.
New Zealand’s chase started with attacking intent but quickly lost momentum.
Finn Allen, who scored a century in the semi-final, was dismissed for nine in the third over.
Tim Seifert provided the main resistance with 52 from 26 balls. Despite his effort, New Zealand continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.
Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling attack and finished with figures of 4-15. His spell helped restrict New Zealand to 159 all out in 19 overs.
The result secured India’s third men’s T20 World Cup title.
It also made them the first team to successfully defend the trophy.
After the match, Shivam Dube: “I was there to hit big sixes. I always back myself and when I get the opportunity, I will try to do that.
“It’s one of the biggest days today, the crowd was amazing and the tournament belongs to them. We have the love from them.”
Jasprit Bumrah, who was named player of the match, added:
“It feels special because I played one final at my home venue [against Australia in 2023] and couldn’t win that one.
“I was really motivated today and used all my experience on a flat wicket. It went exactly as planned.
“Before this tournament, I was in that zone where I was trying too hard but in this format, I let the game come to me.”
“I read the situation and believed in myself. I couldn’t be happier and it’s special to win man of the match in the World Cup final on my home ground.”
?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.? ??#TeamIndia clinch a record 3??rd ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup title ?
Take. A. Bow ?#MenInBlue | #Final | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/nml1AZY5tK
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2026
India has now won the past three men’s global white-ball tournaments, having previously won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
For New Zealand, the defeat adds to previous losses in major tournament finals.
They finished runners-up in the ODI World Cups of 2015 and 2019, and the T20 World Cup in 2021.
They were also beaten by India in Dubai in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
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