T20 World Cup final: India crush New Zealand to secure historic third title and first triumph on home soil

India became the first team to claim three Men's T20 World Cup titles, the first to win the tournament consecutively, and the first to lift the trophy on home ground. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s search for a first World Cup title continues. Sanju Samson delivered another impressive performance with 89 runs - mirroring his semi-final innings against England - as India posted a massive 255-5 in Ahmedabad before dismissing the Kiwis for 159.

India etched their name in history by becoming the first men’s side to win the T20 World Cup three times and the first to defend the title successfully, sealing a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand and reinforcing their dominance in limited-overs cricket.

After losing the toss in Ahmedabad, India unleashed a batting masterclass, finishing with 255-5. Sanju Samson smashed 89 from 46 balls and registered his third consecutive half-century, while opening partner Abhishek Sharma blasted 52 off just 21 deliveries, reaching the fastest fifty of the tournament in only 18 balls.

New Zealand struggled in response and were dismissed for 159 in 19 overs. The chase collapsed early, with the scoreboard reading 72-5 after only 8.1 overs. Pace leader Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball, claiming 4-15 and using cleverly disguised slower deliveries to dismantle the opposition.

Bumrah nearly achieved a hat-trick in the 16th over after removing Jimmy Neesham (8) and Matt Henry (0) in consecutive deliveries. He later dismissed New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner (43 from 35), finishing with the best T20I figures of his career.

Ishan Kishan, who earlier hammered 54 from 25 balls, also shone in the field. He pulled off two outstanding catches - including a juggling effort at deep midwicket to dismiss Tim Seifert (52 from 26) - before safely holding another chance to remove Daryl Mitchell (17).

India’s recent dominance in global white-ball tournaments has been remarkable. After going more than ten years without a major limited-overs trophy following their Champions Trophy victory in England in 2013, they have now captured three global titles in succession: the T20 World Cup in 2024, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and now another T20 crown.

They defeated New Zealand in last year’s 50-over final and once again outclassed the same opponent on Sunday. The win also made India the first men’s team to secure a T20 World Cup on home soil, while New Zealand endured yet another final defeat - their fourth - as the wait for a first World Cup triumph continues.

India get off to a flying start in the final

India’s explosive opening left New Zealand stunned early on. Samson and Abhishek powered the hosts to 98-0 after seven overs, with wides contributing to the tally and New Zealand’s decision to play seamer Jacob Duffy (0-42) instead of off-spinner Cole McConchie proving costly. By the 15-over mark, India had surged to 203-1.

Jimmy Neesham briefly revived New Zealand’s hopes with a three-wicket burst in a single over, dismissing Samson, Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav - the latter falling for a golden duck after a diving catch by Rachin Ravindra in the deep.

However, Shivam Dube (26 not out from eight balls) ensured India maintained the momentum. He punished Neesham’s final over for 24 runs, pushing India beyond the 253-7 they had posted against England during the high-scoring semi-final in Mumbai.

Dube missed a chance early in New Zealand’s chase when he dropped Finn Allen on zero in the opening over - an error that could have been costly. Allen had previously smashed a record 33-ball century in the semi-final demolition of South Africa.

This time, however, the opener managed only nine runs before being caught off Axar Patel (3-27). Moments later Bumrah struck with his first delivery, removing Ravindra (1) with a superb slower ball that Kishan collected with a diving catch at deep square leg.

The victory finally ended India’s run of defeats against New Zealand in previous T20 World Cups, having lost to them in 2007, 2016 and 2021.

India overcome Ahmedabad disappointment

Since suffering defeat in Ahmedabad three years ago, India have experienced just one loss across the following three ICC limited-overs tournaments - earlier this month against South Africa in the Super 8 stage, also at the same venue.

This time there was no repeat disappointment. India delivered a complete performance: explosive batting, sharp fielding - aside from Dube’s early drop and a few mistakes from Hardik Pandya - and a masterclass with the ball from Bumrah.

Bumrah claimed his final wicket when he bowled Santner with a perfectly executed off-cutter in the 18th over. The title-winning moment soon followed, as Abhishek Sharma dismissed Duffy (3), who lofted a catch to Tilak Varma at long-on.

New Zealand’s second-place finish adds to a series of near misses: runners-up in the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups and again in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Their defeat in the 2019 final against England at Lord’s was famously described by commentator Ian Smith as decided by the “barest of margins.” This loss at the Narendra Modi Stadium, however, was far more decisive.

New Zealand’s runners-up finish follows the same result in the 2015 and 2019 50-over World Cups and 2021 T20 World Cup.

They lost by the “barest of margins,” to borrow Ian Smith’s famous phrase, against England in the unforgettable ODI World Cup final seven years ago at Lord’s - but this defeat in Ahmedabad was overwhelming in comparison.