KABUL (Pajhwok): India created history by winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on home soil, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India clinched a record third T20 World Cup title in front of a packed crowd at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
Put in to bat first after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss, India posted a formidable 255-5 in their 20 overs — the highest total in a T20 World Cup final.
Sanju Samson spearheaded the innings with a blistering 89 off 46 balls, while Abhishek Sharma smashed 52 from just 21 deliveries and Ishan Kishan added a quickfire 54 off 25 balls. Shivam Dube provided late fireworks with a 24-run assault in the final over.
New Zealand fought back briefly when James Neesham struck three wickets in an over, removing Samson, Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession to slow India’s scoring surge.
Chasing a daunting 256, New Zealand’s reply faltered early as India’s bowlers made crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay. Axar Patel removed Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips, while Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Rachin Ravindra to leave the Blackcaps struggling.
Tim Seifert attempted to steady the chase with aggressive stroke play but was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy in the ninth over.
Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell put together a 52-run partnership, but Patel struck again to remove Mitchell and derail New Zealand’s hopes.
Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah then sealed the contest with superb figures of 4-15 in four overs, restricting New Zealand to 159 all out.
Axar Patel supported with 3-27 as India comfortably defended their total to lift the trophy.
Bumrah was named Player of the Final, while Samson earned the Player of the Tournament award for his outstanding performances throughout the competition.
The victory also erased painful memories for Indian fans at the venue, where the team had lost the 50-over World Cup final two years ago.
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