India successfully defended their T20 World Cup title in Ahmedabad, defeating New Zealand by a margin of 96 runs.
On the same ground, where they were worn down by pressure and anticipation in the 50-over showpiece against Australia two-and-a-half years ago, the co-hosts scored 255-5 in front of a crowd of more than 100,000 cheering supporters – two more than their score in Thursday’s semi-final against England.
The top three made the most of the superior batting conditions, with Sanju Samson scoring 89 runs from 46 balls, Abhishek Sharma scoring 52 runs from 21 balls, and Ishan Kishan scoring 54 runs from 25 balls.
Apart from Jimmy Neesham taking three wickets in the 16th over, his total score could have been even bigger. Shivam Dubey ensured that New Zealand got some relief by scoring 24 runs in the last over.
Tim Seifert scored 52 off 26 balls, but around him New Zealand lost regular wickets in the chase, including Black Caps semi-final century-scorer Finn Allen for nine in the third over.
Jasprit Bumrah, who was brilliant, rattled the lower order, finishing with 4-15 and bowling out New Zealand for 159 in 19 overs.
The win means India – the first team to defend the men’s T20 World Cup —has now won the last three men’s white-ball tournaments: this one, the 2024 title and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
For New Zealand, who were also defeated by India in Dubai last year, this defeat adds to their close defeats in the 2015, 2019 and 2021 World Cup finals.
