India successfully defended their T20 World Cup title with a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final played in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
A powerful batting display led by Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan propelled India to a massive 255/5 in 20 overs — the highest total recorded in a T20 World Cup final.
Samson top-scored with 89 off 46 balls, striking five fours and eight sixes, while Abhishek Sharma blasted 52 from just 21 deliveries. Kishan added 54 from 25 balls and Shivam Dube finished strongly with an unbeaten 26 off eight balls.
India’s innings began aggressively as Samson and Abhishek Sharma built a 98-run opening partnership. After a cautious start, the pair accelerated quickly, with Sharma reaching a half-century in just 18 balls — the fastest fifty of the tournament.
Following Sharma’s dismissal, Samson and Kishan continued the assault, putting on 105 runs for the second wicket. India crossed the 200-run mark in the 15th over before a brief slowdown after a three-wicket burst in the 16th over.
Dube’s late hitting lifted India to 255/5, with 24 runs coming off the final over.
Chasing 256, New Zealand started aggressively with Tim Seifert attacking early, but India’s bowlers quickly took control. Axar Patel dismissed Glenn Phillips during the powerplay before Jasprit Bumrah removed Rachin Ravindra to leave New Zealand under pressure.
Seifert scored 52 from 26 balls, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Axar and Bumrah led the bowling effort, with Axar finishing with figures of 3/27 while Bumrah delivered a match-winning spell of 4/15.
New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
The victory secured India’s third T20 World Cup title and made them the first team to successfully defend the trophy.
Brief scores:
India 255/5 (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54; James Neesham 3/46)
New Zealand 159 (Tim Seifert 52, Mitchell Santner 43; Jasprit Bumrah 4/15, Axar Patel 3/27)
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