Kamal Ghorui
India won a record third T20 World Cup crown with a 96-run thumping of New Zealand in a lop-sided final on Sunday.India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup at home, the first team to win it back-to-back after securing the 2024 edition as well and also became the first team to win it three times (2007, 2024, 2026).
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first. However, a return-to-form, record-breaking fifty from Abhishek Sharma (52 in 21 balls, with six fours and three sixes) and his 98-run stand with Samson made NZ regret the decision. Later, Samson stitched a century stand with Ishan Kishan (54 in 25 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) to take India past the 200-run mark in the 16th over. After a brief slowdown, Shivam Dube (26* in eight balls, with three fours and two sixes) made some valuable runs to take India to 255/5, the highest total in T20WC finals.In the run-chase of 256 runs, Axar Patel (3/23) and Jasprit Bumrah (4/15) reduced the Kiwis to 72/5, despite a half-century from Tim Seifert (52 in 26 balls, with two fours and five sixes). Despite a brief partnership between Daryl Mitchell (17) and skipper Mitchell Santner (43 in 35 balls, with three fours and two sixes), India kept chipping in with wickets, and the Kiwis were bundled out for just 159 runs.
Poll
Should the T20 World Cup be hosted in India more frequently?
After a brief break from international cricket due to IPL, India will face Afghanistan in June. They will face them in 1 Test and 3 ODIs.They will then face England in July for a limited overs series, which comprises 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs.
India’s Upcoming Matches
| Date | Series | Matches |
| 6 June – 20 June | Afghanistan Tour of India | 1 Test, 3ODIs |
| 1 July – 19 July | India Tour of England | 5 T20Is, 3ODIs |
