Arshdeep Singh and Daryl Mitchell (Image credit: X)
NEW DELHI: India created history at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday when they beat New Zealand by 96 runs to become the first team to retain the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a third title and lift the trophy at home in front of 86,824 fans. Captain Suryakumar Yadav will now join an elite group of Indian captains to win the Men’s Cricket World Cup, maintaining an unbeaten record since taking charge in July 2024.The final had its share of drama during the chase in New Zealand where Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh rocked Daryl Mitchell in a heated moment. In the fifth delivery of the 11th over, Arshdeep, again at half-on, threw a run ball on the stumps after collecting it and inadvertently hit Mitchell on the thigh.
T20 World Cup Final: Ahmedabad fans go crazy | India is making history
Frustrated after being sent for a six earlier, Mitchell attacked Arshdeep with animated gestures. Suryakumar quickly intervened, calming Mitchell down while the umpire spoke to Arshdeep. Temper immediately apologized after delivering the last ball, shaking hands and sharing a side hug with Mitchell.Talking to Harsha Bhogle about the incident, Arshdeep said, “Mai Mitchell ko sorry bolne gya tha (I just ran to apologize to Mitchell). The ball turned when I bowled and hit him. It’s a great feeling right now but the emotions will subside in the next 2-4 days. This is a very good match, a team of winners and a lot of winners. our job is to restrict them to less than 250 if we reach 250 points, and reduce them to as few as possible in the first bowling.’Earlier setting the tone for India’s batting, Sanju Samson blasted 89 off 46 balls, complemented by Abhishek Sharma’s 52 and Ishan Kishan’s 54. Their power-hitting took India to 255/5, the second-highest total of the tournament and the highest ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final. James Neesham briefly slowed the onslaught with three wickets in a single over, but Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 26 off eight balls got India past 250.In response, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah destroyed New Zealand’s top order and reduced the visitors to 52/3 in the over, snuffing out any chance of a record chase. India lived up to the hype, sealing a historic victory to claim their third T20 World Cup title, having previously triumphed in 2007 and 2024.
