IND vs NZ: INDIA beats New Zealand to win ICC T20 World Cup 2026

India became the first team to defend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as they defeated New Zealand in the final of the 2026 edition. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side registered a 96- run win at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Put into bat, India posted a gigantic total of 255 for six, and then ended New Zealand’s innings on 159.

India had a kind of start they would have dreamt of. Abhishek Sharma (52) was back amongst the runs as he played a brutal innings, hitting a half-century in just 18 balls. Sanju Samson (89), at the other end, carried on his good form and hit yet another half-century.

He and Sharma etched a 98-run opening stand that put New Zealand on backfoot. After Sharma got out, Ishan Kishan picked up from where the opener left and kept on attacking bowlers, hitting a quick half-century.

He and Samson did further damage with their 105-run stand for the second wicket. New Zealand made a slight comeback with three wickets in one over, but Shivam Dube (26*) played a cameo that took India to 255 for five. 

Jasprit Bumrah dominates New Zealand as India win T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand looked under pressure right from the start as they kept giving wickets at regular intervals. Finn Allen was the first to fell and then after that, Indian bowlers chipped in with regular intervals. Tim Seifert (52) was the lone warrior with his half-century as the majority of the batters fell for single digits.

Captain Mitchell Santner (43) fought hard but the target was too much for New Zealand to chase. Jasprit Bumrah picked a four-fer as India ended New Zealand’s innings on 159, winning by 96 runs.