T20 World Cup 2026: India vs New Zealand, Final - Who Said What?

India won the T20 World Cup 2026 final by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this victory, India successfully defended their title and became the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times.

Batting first, India posted a massive 255/5 in 20 overs, powered by a series of explosive performances from their top order. Sanju Samson led the charge with a brilliant 89 off 46 balls, smashing five fours and eight sixes at a strike rate of 193.48. His aggressive knock laid the foundation for India’s imposing total.

Young opener Abhishek Sharma also made a big impact with a rapid 52 off just 21 balls, which included six fours and three sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 247.62. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan added further momentum to the innings with an attacking 54 off 25 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 216.

For New Zealand, James Neesham was the most successful bowler, finishing with 3/46 in his four overs, but the rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting lineup.

Chasing the daunting target of 256, New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. Tim Seifert was the top scorer for the Black Caps with an entertaining 52 off 26 balls, which included two fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 200. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to build significant partnerships as India’s bowlers maintained constant pressure.

Leading the bowling attack for India was Jasprit Bumrah, who delivered a match-winning spell and finished with outstanding figures of 4/15. Axar Patel also played a crucial role with the ball, picking up 3/27 in his three overs to help dismantle the New Zealand batting order.

With this dominant performance, India sealed a historic victory, becoming the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title and the first to win the tournament three times.

Who Said What?

Varun Chakravarthy

Feels amazing. back to back trophies. Feel very happy for Abhishek, he scored today. We used to keep chatting that what's happening, nothing is working out for us, but yeah now we've won the World Cup.

Washington Sundar

Credit to all the support staff. They've been amazing. Amazing feeling for everyone to be part of this experience and I'm sure there's more to come.

Abhishek Sharma

The one thing was very clear, I wanted to share before as well, but today is the best day. The captain and coach had faith in me. Even I was doubting myself. I had never experienced this before, it was a tough tournament. I was just doing my process, trying to take it one game after another, but it wasn't easy. But I love this team because the way they backed me. It wasn't easy for me because going through the whole year i was doing well for the team, but in the big tournament I wasn't able to. But the faith the team and management showed in me. I got emotional in the middle of the tournament and wanted to talk to the coach and captain and they said you'll win us the big games. The crowd has supported us a lot even through tough times.

Shivam Dube

[On his role] It was always there to hit some big sixes. That was my role from the first day of the tournament. I always back myself and think that whenever I get opportunity, I'll hit some sixes. I have developed a lot, my bowling, but it didn't come off this tournament. Hopefully will do better in the future.

Arshdeep Singh

I just ran off to apologise to Mitchell. The ball reverse-swung when I threw it and it hit him. Right now it feels great but the emotions will sink in the next 2-4 days. This is a very good team with a lot of match-winners, and the result is cherry on the cake. As a bowler, our role is to restrict them to under 250 if we score 250 and when bowling first, it's just to restrict them to as little as possible.

Tilak Varma

To be honest, we have prepared since last one and a half years. We have prepared to bat at any position for the team. We are up for it and in the right mindset to bat at any position. [The fielding] Actually when the team needs it the boys always stand up in the field. Today also I won't say it was the best fielding, but we took some good catches and end of the day I'm happy we won the final. Next couple of days will be a big party with the boys.

Jasprit Bumrah, Player of the Match

[On what the win means] Feels extremely special because I've played one final in my home venue but couldn't win that one, but today I won. I knew wicket was a flat one so had to use all my experience. Before this tournament I was in that zone where I felt I was trying too hard because I was bowling well but felt I was trying too hard. This tournament I just tried to let the game come to me, and that worked really well. My individual assessment has always been my strength and getting MOTM at my home ground in a World Cup final, it doesn't get better than that. [On his slower balls] Because of the experience, because I've played on belters over here, and I have seen the other teams too, I learned that trying to bowl too fast can make shot-making easier. So just played smart, and tried to think of what the batsmen were trying to do. [On the bowling group] Whenever we discuss, they always come up with options. And when communication is needed we did that. We never panicked. Kept our heads above the water. Teams that do that win the tournament and I am very happy we did it.

Sanju Samson, Player of the Tournament

Feels like a dream. Very happy and grateful. Out of words, out of emotions. [On his three fifties, thought process] To be honest, it started one-two years before. When I was in the 2024 World Cup team where I didn't play, I kept visualising, kept on working and this was exactly what I wanted to do. After the NZ series I was broken, my dreams were completely shattered. And I was thinking what can I do. But God had different plans. And I was rewarded for being brave enough to dream. A lot of former players have reached out to me and tried to help me out. For the last couple of months, I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir. I reached out to him and had big big conversations with him. Getting a guidance from someone like him, what more can you ask for? I am very grateful for everyone who supported me. [What more does he want to achieve?] This itself is very big for me, I want to enjoy it right now and then after a few day will figure out what more to do.

Hardik Pandya

I have 10 more years left in me and I want to win 10 more ICC titles. That's my goal. [on winning at home and defending the title] It's quite emotional. Because winning the WC in India, the excitement of the people, it's amazing. The effort we have put in... From yesterday I knew we are champions. The only self belief I had was there was no other result. Losing wasn't a though. I am thankful for God. When I was bowling the 19th over against England, I was thinking about the 2024 World Cup final. I told Kishan and Abhishek also that when you go out to bat, think of good memories. [On Samson and Kishan] This is what life teaches you. When you work hard, try to be happy in others' happiness, God gives you opportunities. It's a learning for the whole nation. That when you stay quiet and work hard, God gives you opportunities. Really proud of them.

Mitchell Santner, New Zealand (Losing Captain)

Proud of the boys to make it this far. Obviously we had some challenges throughout but at each stage we put up a good fight. Today we got outplayed by a great team in front of a great crowd. To see a big sea of blue, obviously India were home favourites. Playing a home World Cup comes with a lot of pressure. But yeah SKY and the boys should be very very proud. Different guys stood up at different stages. In the Super Eight and semi-finals we put up a good fight but tonight we were obviously outplayed.

Suryakumar Yadav, India (Winning Captain)

[Has it sunk in?] I think it'll take a little bit of time but definitely very happy. Been a long journey. Started post the 2024 World Cup. Jay Shah, Rohit bhai, they all showed faith in me and gave me opportunity to lead. From there it's been a long journey and coming here and winning it. We have been playing good cricket in the last two years and we just wanted to follow the good cricketing habits that we had in the 2024 World Cup. Boys took it really well. [On keeping faith in players] I think it's really important to understand what they are capable of. And I knew they had the match winners in them. The timing was perfect. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma they are top players and we knew they would do something special, and they did it in the final. Bumrah is a once-in a generation bowler. I can call him a national treasure. He knows how it needs to be done, he is the best in the business.