India produced their most dominant side in the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on March 8 and created history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title. Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium, India produced a complete performance that left little room for doubt about the outcome.
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The foundation was laid with the bat as Abhishek Sharma finally rediscovered his touch after a quiet tournament, while Sanju Samson capped a sensational campaign with another impressive knock to seal his Player of the Tournament award. Ishan Kishan continued his rich run of form and Shivam Dube’s late fireworks took India to an impressive total of 254, putting New Zealand under immense pressure.
| IND vs NZ Final: Highlights | Scorecard |
If the target looked daunting, the presence of Jasprit Bumrah made the task even more difficult. Bumrah struck early and decisively while Axar Patel’s spin further strengthened India’s grip on the match as New Zealand struggled to keep pace. Possible The 96-run victory sealed India’s third T20 World Cup title, sparked wild celebrations as players, support staff and families joined the celebrations on the pitch.
INDIA CELEBRATES WORLD T20 TRIUMPH: In pictures
The moment India completed their first ever defense of the T20 World Cup title. (PTI Photo)
Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan rushed Suryakumar Yadav as India’s World T20 title defense was sealed. The celebrations began at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahemdabad. India lifted their third T20 World Cup title in style. (Photo: PTI)
In front of a packed Narendra Modi Stadium, Suryakumar Yadav-led India became the first ever team to win a T20 World Cup title from their home crowd. The first ever title defense for the first-ever home world champions. Suryakumar Yadav led the winning run with the rest of his team at the Narendra Modi Stadium. (Photo: PTI)
Then came the victory lap. India captain Suryakumar Yadav, visibly emotional at the magnitude of the event, led the victory lap with the rest of his team at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Cheers erupted throughout the stadium as the champions carried their T20 World Cup trophy. Celebrations were in full swing at the Narendra Modi Stadium. (Photo: PTI)
During his celebrations, Indians rarely miss an opportunity to dance. Mohammed Siraj, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan did the same and that too, in some championship style. Jasprit Bumrah with wife Sanjana Ganesan and mother Daljit Bumrah. (PTI Photo)
A man who simply feels no pressure. He just continues to perform at his absolute best whenever the Indian team needs it and Jasprit Bumrah did the same in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. After delivering a Man of the Match winning performance with a spell of 4/15, Bumrah celebrated the triumph with his wife Sanjana Ganesan and Daljit Bumrah. Gautam Gambhir had a special moment with Sanju Samson after the triumph. (Photo: PTI)
India head coach Gautam Gambhir hugged player of the tournament and redemption hero Sanju Samson after India sealed their T20 World Cup triumph. With three consecutive 80+ scores in India’s last three matches of their campaign, including 89 in the final, Samson’s rise has been one of the best stories of this T20 World Cup. Sanju with the T20 World Cup trophy. (Photo: PTI)
Sanju’s comeback is something that the Indian fans celebrated along with the joy of India defending the title. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh pose after India’s T20 World Cup triumph. (Photo: PTI)
While Arshdeep’s clinical prowess silenced New Zealand during their chase of 255 in the final, Axar Patel’s spell of 3/27 dealt a major blow to the Black Caps’ fleeting hopes of beating India in the final. The duo deserved some posing time after their triumph. Suryakumar Yadav with wife Devisha Shetty and family. (PTI Photo)
Suryakumar Yadav earned himself the title of ‘World Cup Winning Captain’ with a complete display of India’s dominance in the final in Ahmedabad. He celebrated and posed with his wife Devisha Shetty and family. Arshdeep, Ishan and Abhishek performed to Punjabi music after winning. (Photo: PTI) Hardik Pandya celebrated this moment with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma. (PTI Photo)
Hardik Pandya, now winner of two T20 World Cup titles, celebrated India’s triumph with girlfriend Mahieka Sharma at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Rinku Singh led a proud march with the T20 World Cup trophy. (PTI Photo)
If one were to explain courage and determination to a child, a cricket fan could simply point to the story of Rinku Singh. He left the team halfway through the tournament to perform his father’s last rites. Having fulfilled his filial duty, he returned to the team almost immediately, knowing full well that he might not even make the playing eleven.
That’s the kind of commitment that goes beyond cricket. The kind of spirit that deserves to end up with a T20 World Cup medal. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan join Hardik Pandya for a picture with his viral pose. (Photo: PTI) Sunil Gavaskar and Suryakumar Yadav break into a dance during India’s winning run. (PTI Photo)
One of the most heartwarming moments of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 celebrations came when Indian cricket legend and former captain Sunil Gavaskar casually danced with Suryakumar Yadav during India’s victory lap at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Gavaskar had promised to dance if India won the World Cup on Sunday and the legendary opener made sure to keep his word. Gautam Gambhir celebrated with his family after India’s triumph. (Photo: PTI)
India head coach Gautam Gambhir, now an ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup winner, flaunted a rare smile on his face during India’s celebrations. Gambhir celebrated the moment with his wife Natasha Jain and daughters Aazeen Gambhir, Anaiza Gambhir.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 9, 2026 09:06 IST
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