Ahmedabad, March 8 (UNI) The pressure of a final often forces even the best teams into mistakes, and on Sunday, New Zealand paid the price for a series of tactical errors as India took full advantage to post a massive 255/5- the third-highest team total in a T20 World Cup while chasing a third title in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium here.
At the toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner put India in to bat and provided the hosts, particularly Abhishek Sharma, a significant boost by replacing off-spinner Cole McConchie with seamer Jacob Duffy.
The tactical missteps continued soon after as Santner employed four different bowlers in the first four overs. The move backfired as India openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma tore into the New Zealand attack after a cautious start. While the first two overs produced just 12 runs, the next two yielded 38 as India raced to 51 by the fourth over.
Samson set the tone with a six off Matt Henry after playing out four dots, before Abhishek joined the assault with three boundaries off Duffy. Lockie Ferguson, the fourth bowler introduced, was also taken apart by the aggressive Indian opening pair.
Henry returned in the fifth over but struggled for control, sending down four wides before Abhishek launched him over long-off. Samson capped the over with another towering six, helping India collect 21 runs from it.
The following over saw Abhishek hammer Duffy for three boundaries and a six to bring up the quickest half-century in a T20 World Cup knockout match. The left-hander reached the milestone in just 18 balls, the fastest fifty of the tournament, as India closed the powerplay at a commanding 92/0.
Desperate for a breakthrough, Santner brought himself into the attack, but the move had little impact. Eventually, Rachin Ravindra struck with his first delivery to end the 98-run opening stand, dismissing Abhishek for a blistering 52 off 21 balls, caught behind.
While Abhishek dominated the early exchanges, Samson preferred to take the back seat. However, after his partner’s departure, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter shifted gears, smashing back-to-back sixes off Ferguson to bring up his fifty off 33 balls. In doing so, Samson joined an elite list, becoming only the third player to score fifties in both the semi-final and final of a T20 World Cup after Shahid Afridi in 2009 and Virat Kohli in 2014.
Ishan Kishan then joined the onslaught, launching Ferguson into the stands as India surged past the 150-run mark by the 12th over. With nearly 100,000 fans in attendance, the momentum continued as Samson hammered Ravindra for a hat-trick of sixes, while Kishan struck Santner for a six and a four to bring up a 23-ball fifty.
India crossed the 200-run mark in the 15th over.
James Neesham finally provided some relief for New Zealand in the 16th over, dismissing Samson for 89, the same score he had made in the semi-final against England. Neesham struck twice more in the same over, removing Kishan and India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who fell for a first-ball duck.
The sudden triple strike briefly slowed India’s charge before Shivam Dube’s late assault propelled the hosts past the 250-run mark.
Brief Scores: India 255/5 (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54, Abhishek Sharma 52, Shivam Dube 26 not out; Jimmy Nisham 3/46) vs New Zealand.
