By Asif Naveed
SPORTS DESK (MNN); India national cricket team created history by winning their third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand national cricket team by a massive 96 runs in the final on Sunday. With the victory, India also became the first side to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title.
Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, India lifted the trophy in front of more than 86,000 spectators at Narendra Modi Stadium, becoming the first team to win the tournament on home soil.
A brilliant innings from Sanju Samson, who smashed 89 runs from 46 balls, powered India to a formidable total of 255 for five. Later, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah delivered a match-winning spell, taking four wickets for just 15 runs as New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
Part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma sealed the victory by dismissing Jacob Duffy for the final wicket.
Earlier in the innings, Axar Patel struck early blows with his left-arm spin, including the wicket of the dangerous Finn Allen. Despite a quick 52 off 26 balls by opener Tim Seifert, New Zealand struggled to keep pace with the required run rate.
Captain Mitchell Santner scored 43, but it was not enough to stop New Zealand from suffering their second T20 World Cup final defeat, having previously lost to Australia national cricket team in 2021.
Earlier, Samson shared a 98-run opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma, who blasted 52 off 21 balls. Later, Ishan Kishan added momentum with a quickfire 54 off 25 balls.
Although Jimmy Neesham briefly revived New Zealand’s hopes with three wickets in one over, including Samson and Kishan, Shivam Dube finished the innings strongly with an unbeaten 26 from just eight deliveries, pushing India’s total beyond New Zealand’s reach.
The victory also helped India erase memories of their defeat in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final at the same venue.
