India scripted history at the Narendra Modi Stadium as they defeated New Zealand national cricket team by a massive 96 runs to lift the ICC Men's T20 World Cup for a record third time, becoming the first team to successfully defend the title. The victory carried a sense of redemption for Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and millions of fans who had not forgotten the heartbreak of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Final. Although India had since enjoyed several triumphs, the memory of that defeat lingered. Sunday night’s emphatic win finally laid those ghosts to rest.

Put in to bat by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner on a batting-friendly surface, India produced a breathtaking batting display. Opener Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a blistering 50 off just 18 balls, the fastest half-century of the tournament and the quickest ever in a T20 World Cup knockout match. His explosive start powered India to 92 without loss in the powerplay, the highest powerplay total of the tournament. After Sharma’s dismissal, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan kept the momentum firmly in India’s favour. Samson, continuing his remarkable run of form, struck another commanding innings to become only the third cricketer after Shahid Afridi and Virat Kohli to score half-centuries in both the semifinal and final of a T20 World Cup. His knock also placed him alongside Mahela Jayawardene as the only players to record three consecutive 80-plus scores in the tournament.

Samson’s assault included three successive sixes off Rachin Ravindra in the 14th over as India crossed another milestone, becoming the first team to strike 100 sixes in a single World Cup edition. Kishan contributed a rapid 54 off 25 balls, ensuring that for the first time in a T20 World Cup knockout match, the top three batters all scored half-centuries. India raced to 203/1 after 15 overs before a brief slowdown saw three wickets fall in the 16th over. However, Shivam Dube added late fireworks with an unbeaten 26 off 8 balls, lifting India to 255/5, the third-highest total in T20 World Cup history and the highest ever in a final.

New Zealand’s reply never truly gathered momentum. Early strikes from Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah reduced them to 47/3, leaving the chase in disarray. Tim Seifert briefly counterattacked with 52 off 26 balls, while Santner added a fighting 43, but the target proved far beyond reach. Bumrah delivered the decisive blows, finishing with a superb 4 for 15, his best figures in T20 internationals. With 14 wickets in the tournament, he ended as the joint-highest wicket-taker.

India eventually sealed victory by 96 runs, turning the final into a one-sided affair long before the final ball was bowled. The triumph not only secured India’s third T20 World Cup crown but also marked the first time a defending champion had successfully retained the title.

Image Credit: AP