'Virtually unbeatable' India win praise after third T20 World

• India won the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad.

• Posted a record 255/5, highest-ever total in a T20 World Cup final.

• Sanju Samson starred; Bumrah and Axar led the bowling attack.

• First team to win three T20 titles and defend the trophy.

• Nationwide celebrations followed; ICC awarded $2.34m, BCCI announced ₹1.31bn bonus.

India’s cricket team delivered a commanding performance to secure the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, drawing widespread acclaim from leaders and fans alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the chorus of congratulations, describing the victory as a testament to the squad’s outstanding ability, resilience, and unity.

In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister praised the players for their perseverance throughout the tournament, saying their success had brought immense pride and happiness to the nation. He commended the team for demonstrating grit and cohesion on the world stage.

A Record-Breaking Night in Ahmedabad

The final unfolded at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where India outclassed New Zealand by 96 runs in a one-sided contest. Batting first, India piled up 255 for 5 in their 20 overs—the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final. The imposing score proved well beyond New Zealand’s reach, as they were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.

Sanju Samson played a defining role, hammering 89 off 46 deliveries in the final and earning recognition as Player of the Tournament. Abhishek Sharma provided early fireworks, registering the fastest half-century of the competition with a 50 off just 18 balls. Ishan Kishan’s brisk 54 from 25 balls and Shivam Dube’s explosive 26 off eight deliveries further strengthened India’s total.

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah led the charge, claiming four wickets, while Axar Patel chipped in with three to dismantle the New Zealand batting order. Hardik Pandya also made key contributions during the tournament, underscoring the depth in India’s squad under captain Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership.

A Landmark Achievement

The victory marked a historic milestone. India became the first team to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2024. It also made them the first side to defend a T20 World Cup title, following their narrow seven-run win over South Africa in 2024. Notably, this was also the first time India secured the men’s T20 crown on home soil.

Twenty teams competed in this year’s tournament, but India’s consistency and firepower set them apart. Their dominance in the final underscored their status as the leading force in the shortest format of the game.

Financial rewards followed the sporting glory. The International Cricket Council awarded the champions $2.34 million in prize money, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a bonus of 1.31 billion rupees (approximately $14.24 million) for the team.

Celebrations Sweep the Nation

As the final overs were bowled in Ahmedabad, celebrations had already begun inside the stadium and quickly spread nationwide. From Delhi’s India Gate to Chennai’s Marina Beach, from Mumbai’s airport to the streets of Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Guwahati and Patna, jubilant supporters gathered in large numbers.

Dressed in blue jerseys, fans waved flags, burst fireworks, and beat drums late into the night. Cricket’s immense popularity in India once again transformed a sporting victory into a shared national festival.

The triumph comes just four months after India celebrated its first Women’s Cricket World Cup win, adding to what has become a golden period for Indian cricket.

With a blend of explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and confident captaincy, the Men in Blue have not only retained their crown but also carved out a new chapter in cricketing history—one that will be remembered as a defining moment for the sport in India.