History unfolded at a deafening cricket stadium as India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup final to become the first men’s side ever to retain the championship. The match was largely one-sided, with India’s batters feasting on New Zealand’s bowling before their own attack, led by the peerless Bumrah, wrapped up the chase well short of the target. For New Zealand, the dream of a first global men’s title remains painfully elusive.
India’s top three put on a batting masterclass that reduced New Zealand’s bowlers to virtual spectators for much of the first innings. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a blazing half-century off 18 balls, followed by Sanju Samson’s patient 89 and Ishan Kishan’s brutal 54 off 25 deliveries. The powerplay alone yielded 92 runs without the loss of a wicket, a record-equalling feat that set the tone for the entire innings.
A collapse in the final five overs, during which four wickets fell across two runs, suggested New Zealand had found something. But the damage had already been done, and India’s 255 remained a target comfortably beyond New Zealand’s capabilities. Shivam Dube rescued the innings somewhat with 26 off just eight balls in the final over.
New Zealand’s reply was underwhelming from the start. Finn Allen, who had scored a 33-ball century in the semi-final, made only nine before departing. The innings never found any momentum, and Bumrah’s three-wicket haul effectively ended the contest as a competitive match. The final margin of 96 runs told the full story.
This victory means India have now produced something no men’s cricket team has achieved before. They are double T20 World Cup champions, and they achieved the feat in front of their own passionate supporters. Truly, this is their era.