The India cricket team scripted history by successfully defending the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on home soil, defeating the New Zealand national cricket team in a one-sided final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, India clinched their third T20 World Cup crown — the most by any team in the tournament’s history. India delivered a complete performance in the final, piling up a massive 255 runs before bowling New Zealand out for 159.
The commanding victory not only sealed the title but also cemented India’s status as the most successful team in T20 World Cup history and the first side to win the tournament on home soil. The hosts’ batting lineup produced a stunning display, with half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan powering India to the mammoth total.
From the start, the Indian batters attacked relentlessly, putting the New Zealand bowling attack under pressure throughout the innings. Abhishek Sharma’s knock proved especially significant.
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The young left-hander silenced his critics with a blazing half-century in the final after a relatively quiet run in the earlier stages of the tournament. His aggressive approach set the tone for India’s innings and allowed the middle order to build on a powerful platform. Captain Suryakumar Yadav later revealed how strongly he backed the young opener despite the inconsistent performances earlier in the competition.
“That’s his identity as a player — when he bats for six or eight overs, he finishes games,” Suryakumar Yadav said. “I told him once: there are nine games in this World Cup, even if you fail in eight of them, score zero in all eight — I am taking the guarantee that you will face the first ball in the final.”
The Indian skipper explained that players like Abhishek can transform matches within a short span, which is why the team management continued to trust him.
“Such players change games when they bat. I knew a day would come where he would finish it off.” Suryakumar Yadav also recalled a moment during the final when confidence inside the dressing room remained high. “In the final, Axar sat next to me and said: we have two world No. 1 players in this team and they will fire today.”
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Abhishek Sharma eventually delivered in style, smashing a rapid 50 off just 18 balls to give India a flying start. “Abhishek was working so hard, and in the final he scored 50 off 18 balls. Six overs, 90 runs. From there the game was completely different. It’s very important to persist with such players,” Suryakumar added.
