AHMEDABAD — India defended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title with a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, after posting a formidable total of 255 for five in 20 overs and restricting the visitors to 159.
The result secured back-to-back titles for India and capped a high-scoring final in which the Indian top order set the tone early. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to field first after winning the toss, but India’s aggressive batting quickly put the match out of reach.
India’s top order powers massive total
Openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson launched a rapid start, adding 98 runs in the first seven overs. Sharma was dismissed on the first ball of the eighth over by Rachin Ravindra after scoring 52 from 21 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes.
Ishan Kishan then joined Samson at the crease and the pair maintained the momentum with a 105-run partnership for the second wicket from just 47 balls.
James Neesham broke the stand in the 16th over, dismissing both batters. Samson led the scoring with 89 off 46 balls, hitting eight sixes and five fours, while Kishan struck 54 from 25 deliveries with four sixes and four boundaries.
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Neesham also removed India captain Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck in the same over, leaving India at 204 for four.
Shivam Dube added late acceleration with an unbeaten 26 from eight balls, including three fours and two sixes, helping India reach 255 for five by the end of their innings.
New Zealand fall short in chase
Chasing a challenging target, New Zealand struggled to keep pace with the required run rate and were eventually limited to 159.
Tim Seifert top-scored with a half-century, but regular wickets prevented the side from building sustained partnerships.
Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling effort with four wickets, while Axar Patel claimed three, helping seal a comprehensive victory in the final.
Squads
India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson
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