India vs New Zealand highlights, T20 World Cup Final 2026: India crush New Zealand to clinch third T20 World Cup title
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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 09, 2026, 10:59:14 IST
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India vs New Zealand highlights, T20 World Cup Final 2026: India crush New Zealand to clinch third T20 World Cup title

India vs New Zealand highlights, T20 World Cup Final 2026: A dominant India became the first team to retain the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, win three world crowns, and clinch the trophy on home soil after defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final played in front of 86, 824 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav will now lift the trophy and be the fourth Indian to lead the side to a men’s cricket World Cup title after having not lost a single series since taking charge in July 2024 - a remarkable record that highlights India's dominance in the shortest format.

Though the massive win, India broke two hoodoos – of having never previously beaten New Zealand in a Men’s T20 World Cup match, and winning in Ahmedabad after their last two ICC white-ball defeats - the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia and a Super Eights defeat to South Africa earlier in this tournament – came at the venue.

Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 46 balls, laced with five fours and eight sixes, led India’s charge to posting a massive 255/5 - the second highest total of the tournament and the most posted by a team in the World Cup - before their bowlers dismantled New Zealand inside the powerplay to seal a comprehensive victory, as the visitors were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.

Samson, in the form of his life, having struck 97 not out and 89 in his two previous innings, shared an opening stand of 98 with Abhishek Sharma, who saved his best for the title clash by hitting 52 off 21 balls, while Ishan Kishan hit 54 off 25 balls to extend the carnage.

James Neesham briefly checked India's momentum with three wickets in a single over before Shivam Dube plundered an unbeaten 26 off eight balls to take India past 250. Local lads Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel then wrecked New Zealand's top order, reducing the challengers to 52/3 and extinguishing any realistic hope of a record chase, as India lived up to their pre-tournament hype and made history.
21:24 (IST) Mar 08
Poll
Two early wickets for India. Will the BlackCaps recover?
21:22 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live Score: WICKET! Rachin gone!
WICKET! Jasprit Bumrah removes Rachin Ravindra for 1. Bumrah once again strikes first ball. He bowls a slower one. Ravindra looks to flick but fails to connect this well. He plays this too early. Ishan Kishan runs forward, dives and takes a superb catch. The ball initially pops out off Ishan's hands but he manages to grab it in the end. He higs Bumrah in celebration.

NEW ZEALAND 32/2 in 3.1 overs vs INDIA
21:18 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: WICKET! Allen falls!
WICKET! Finn Allen gone. Axar Patel strikes. He gets the big wicket. Allen falls for 9 runs. Axar draws first blood for India,. He bowls a short delivery on middle and angling it in. Finn Allen tries to pull it but can’t free his arms fully, hitting it straight to long-on. Tilak Varma takes a simple catch just ahead of the ropes. Big big wicket for India.

NEW ZEALAND 31/1 in 2.4 overs vs INDIA
21:15 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: FOUR for Seifert!
FOUR! Tim Seifert smashes thgis over Pandya's head. Expensive over from Pandya. 21 runs off his over. New Zealand are off to attacking start in the mammoth chase.

NEW ZEALAND 25/0 in 2 overs vs INDIA
21:14 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX! for Seifert!
SIX! Another biggie. He uses the pace and guides the ball over square leg fence. What a shot from the right hander. Back-to-back sixes. Pandya isn't happy with this.
21:12 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX for Seifert!
SIX! First maximum for New Zealand. Tim Seifert whacks this over deep mid wicket fence for a biggie. The ball goes into th stands.
21:10 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: DROPPED!
DROPPED! Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen. The New Zealand opener hits this way high in the air. Catch is the call. Shivam Dube is underneath the ball and he drops a sitter.

4 runs off Arshdeep's over

NEW ZEALAND 4/0 in 1 over vs INDIA
21:04 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Welcome back!
Welcome back, folks!

It's time for New Zealand's chase

New Zealand need to chase a mammoth 256 to win the T20 World Cup 2026 title

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are in the middle

Arshdeep Singh will open the attack for India

Here we go ... !!!
20:50 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Matt Henry

Yeah, obviously that’s tough. Yeah, obviously we would have liked to have kept them to probably under 240 there, but I mean, we’ve still got the firepower and the belief in this shed.

So I think for us, the way we start, hopefully we can get a good read of the wicket and put them under some pressure.

We gave ourselves a chance because of that middle phase and we are not out of it and we believe in that. Still back our boys to get this done.

Matt Henry, New Zealand
20:49 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Highest boundary count
Highest boundary count in a team innings in T20 WC

41 - SL vs KEN, Johannesburg, 2007
37 - IND vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF
37 - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final
36 - ENG vs IND, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF

India vs pace off (< 128 kph) deliveries this World Cup

First 5 games: 13 dismissals | Avg 23.53 | SR 166.30 | 4s/6s 27/21

Last 4 games: Four dismissals | Avg 64.50 | SR 252.94 | 4s 20/6s 21

Samson’s 89 is the highest individual score in a T20 WC final, surpassing 85* and 85 by Marlon Samuels and Kane Williamson in 2016 and 2021 respectively.

Most sixes in a T20 WC innings

19 - NED vs IRE, Sylhet, 2014
19 - WI vs ZIM, Mumbai WS, 2026
19 - IND vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF
18 - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final
17 - IND vs ZIM, Chennai, 2026
16 - AUS vs IND, Bridgetown, 2010
20:49 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Highest team totals
The 105-run stand between Samson and Kishan was the second 100-plus partnership in a T20 WC final, only behind 111 between Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen against Australia in 2010.

Highest team totals in T20 WC

260/6 - SL vs KEN, Johannesburg, 2007
256/4 - IND vs ZIM, Chennai, 2026
255/5 - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2025 Final
254/6 - WI vs ZIM, Mumbai WS, 2026
253/7 - IND vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF
246/7 - ENG vs IND, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF

Most 250-plus totals in Men’s T20s

7 - India
5 - SRH
3 - West Indies
3 - Zimbabwe
3 - Surrey

India is the second team to register three 250-plus scores in a T20 competition, alongside SRH in IPL 2024.

This is their fourth 250-plus score in 2026 - the most in a calendar year.
20:44 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: INDIA 255/5 in 20 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan power India to 255/5 vs New Zealand
20:42 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: 250 up!
India are 250 plus now with a boundary from Shivam Dube towards square leg fence.
20:41 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Another SIX!
SIX! That's a brutal hitting. Shivm Dube smashes James Neesham over to deep extra cover fence. India 247/5 and three deliveries to go.
20:40 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX for Dube!
SIX! Shivam Dube dispatches Neesham over deep mid wicket fence. Brilliant swing of the bat. What a shot. India go past 240 now.
20:39 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: FOUR for Dube!
FOUR! Dube has hit this high in the air. Santner is running backward. There is no long on. The ball is out of his reach and hits the fence too.
20:37 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Good over!
Matt Henry bowls a tight over. 11 runs off his over.

India 231/5

How many runs will India score in the last over.
20:37 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX and OUT!
WICKET! Hardik Pandya smashes Matt Henry for a biggie and then falls on the next ball. It's a short delivery from Henry. Pandya pulls this. The ball is too high in the air. Mitchell Santner takes an easy catch.


20:31 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: 18 overs gone!
18 overs gone and 2 overs to go!

India are 22/4 with Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma in the middle

India eyeing 250 plus here.

Can they do it?
20:30 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Last 2 overs - 8 runs and 3 wickets
Last 2 overs - 8 runs and 3 wickets for New Zealand as they pull things back impressively against the India.

After a phase of relentless hitting, the momentum has briefly shifted with quick strikes, including the key dismissals of Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav giving the bowlers a much-needed foothold in the contest.
20:26 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Most individual 50-plus scores
Most individual 50-plus scores in a T20 WC innings

3 - IND vs ENG, Durban, 2007
3 - SA vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2016
3 - IND vs NED, Sydney, 2022
3 - SL vs OMAN, Pallekele, 2026
3 - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026
20:22 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: WICKET! SKY falls!
WICKET! Third wicket in the over for James Neesham. Suryakumar Yadav falls for a duck. He tries his favourite plays his favourite shot towards square leg. Rachin Ravindra takes a magnificent catch. Surya goes without trouble the scorers.
20:19 (IST) Mar 08
Poll
Six for Ishan! Can he keep up the big hitting?
20:19 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: WICKET! Ishan gone!
WICKET! James Neesham dismisses Ishan Kishan for 54 runs. Two wickets in the same over and suddenly the New Zealand have a glimmer of hope. Neesham goes around the wicket and fires in a very full delivery on middle. Kishan crouches low and looks to power it straight down the ground, taking it on the full. However, he fails to get the desired timing and distance, with one hand coming off the bat during the shot. The ball travels only as far as long-on where Mark Chapman moves to his right and completes a safe catch.

INDIA 204/3 in 15.5 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
20:19 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Most sixes
Most sixes in a T20I series (FM teams)

25 - Finn Allen (NZ) vs PAK, 2024
24 - Sanju Samson (IND), T20 WC 2026
24 - Sikandar Raza (ZIM) - T20 WC Africa Qualifier, 2023/24
22 - Phil Salt (ENG) vs WI, 2023
22 - Abhishek Sharma (IND) vs ENG, 2025
22 - Tim Seifert (NZ) vs PAK, 2025
20:15 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: WICKET! Samson gone!
WICKET! James Neesham ends Sanju Samson's stay at 89 runs. A big wicket for the New Zealand as Samson departs just when he looked set for a massive score. Neesham struck immediately after returning to the attack with a high full toss around waist height on off and middle. Samson waited back and attempted to smash it straight down the ground but failed to get full control of the shot. The ball went high in the air and substitute fielder Cole McConchie settled under it to complete the catch.

A superb knock from Samson comes to an end.

INDIA 203/2 in 15.1 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
20:14 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: 200 up
200 comes uo for India in 15 overs

For the first time in T20 World Cup history, each of the top three in a team innings have gone past 50.


20:14 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: FIFTY!
FIFTY! Ishan Kishan brings up his half century off 23 balls. He is an attacking batter and India won't mid 250 plus score on this track.
20:11 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX for Ishan!
Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan. The left hander whacks this over deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
20:11 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: DRINKS!
DRINKS BREAK:

Absolute mayhem from the India batters at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have added a blistering 93-run partnership, putting the New Zealand bowlers under immense pressure.

Samson is now edging closer to a memorable century, continuing his superb run in the tournament. Kishan, meanwhile, has walked in with fearless intent and is striking at a staggering 226.32, keeping the momentum firmly with India.

India 191/1 in 14 overs and looking well on course for 250 plus total
20:08 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Third in a row!
SIX! SIX! SIX! Third maximum in a row for Sanju Samson. What a clean hitting from the right hander. He is in top form. He is batting on 88 off just 44 balls.

20 runs off Rachin Ravindra over.

INDIA 191/1 in 14 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
20:07 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Samson on fire!
SIX! Rachin Ravindra to Sanju Samson. The batter stands takk and plays superb bottom hand shot and whacks the ball over the bowler's head. Superb hit over the ropes. He is on song.
20:02 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Tough day for Lockie
STAT ATTACK:

48 runs conceded by Lockie Ferguson already, the most by a bowler in the first two overs of his spell in a T20 WC, going past Shivam Dube's 1/46 against Zimbabwe earlier in the competition.
20:01 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Smashed!
SIX! What a shot from Ishan Kisha. He stays back and whacks this over long on fence. Samson applauds the batter from the other end. Poor bowling from Matt Henry.
19:59 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Expensive Lockie!
Lockie Ferguson endured a torrid over as the India national cricket team batters went on a boundary spree, piling on 24 runs to surge to 161/1 in 12 overs against the New Zealand national cricket team.

Sanju Samson led the charge with a flurry of big hits, smashing 6, 1, 6 and a four in the over, while Ishan Kishan joined the assault with a towering six over long-on. Ferguson’s figures ballooned to 2-0-48-0, underlining India’s dominance in the middle overs.

Samson’s blistering knock also placed him in elite company. He joined Shahid Afridi (2009) and Virat Kohli (2014) as the only players to score fifties in both the semifinal and final of a T20 World Cup.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter also equalled a notable tournament record, registering three consecutive 50-plus scores in T20 World Cups, alongside names such as Mahela Jayawardene, Kohli, Babar Azam, KL Rahul, Kusal Mendis and Sahibzada Farhan.

With Samson racing to 67 off 37 and Kishan on 34 off 14, India are firmly in command as the innings gathers serious momentum.
19:59 (IST) Mar 08
Poll
Samson and Kishan keep scoring at a high rate. Can they maintain this momentum?
19:58 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Samson on fire!
50s in the semis as well as the final of a T20 WC edition

Shahid Afridi in 2009
Virat Kohli in 2014
Sanju Samson in 2026

Most consecutive 50-plus scores in T20 WCs

3 - Mahela Jayawardene (2010)
3 - Virat Kohli (2016-2021)
3 - Babar Azam (2021)
3 - KL Rahul (2021)
3 - Kusal Mendis (2026)
3 - Sahibzada Farhan (2026)
3 - Sanju Samson (2026)

19:57 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: FIFTY!
FIFTY! Sanju Samson brings up his half century off 33 balls

Another magnificent knock from the Indian wicketkeeper-batter as he brings up a well-crafted half-century in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final. According to broadcaster Natalie Germanos on air, Samson becomes only the third player to score half-centuries in both a T20 World Cup semifinal and final.

A composed yet impactful innings from Samson, continuing the strong showing from the India national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
19:54 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX for Ishan!
SIX! In the slot from Mitchell Santner and Ishan Kishan dispatches this over deep mid wicket. First six from him in the match.
19:52 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Good over for India!
New Zealand tries to tighned things as they conceded 23 runs in 3 overs. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan had something else in mind. Both the batters hit one boundary each in James Neesham's over.

12 runs off Neesham's over

INDIA 127/1 in 10 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
19:44 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Fastest team 100s
Fastest team 100s in T20 WC knockouts

7.2 overs - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026
7.5 overs - NZ vs SA, Kolkata, 2026
8.1 overs - ENG vs IND, Mumbai WS, 2026
8.3 overs - IND vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2026
19:44 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Back-to-back FOURS
Ishan Kishan comes and does what he is best at. He hits Rachin Ravindra for back-to-back boundaries. Superb start from him. India are already motoring at a high run rate.
19:40 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: WICKET! Abhishek gone!
WICKET! Rachin Ravindra gets breakthough, Abhishek Sharma falls for 52 runs. A dangerous 98-run opening stand comes to an end. New Zealand can take a breather now. A much-needed breakthrough for the New Zealand, and perhaps a touch fortunate as well.

It was a wide delivery outside off stump and Abhishek, stretching to reach it, lost his balance and managed only a faint edge. Seifert gathered it cleanly behind the stumps and immediately threw the ball up in celebration. Umpire Alex Wharf had no hesitation in raising the finger.

Abhishek, clearly disappointed, punched his bat in disbelief before beginning the walk back. Nevertheless, the India national cricket team opener had already done the damage, departing to a loud ovation.

INDIA 98/1 in 7.1 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
19:37 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: FOUR for Samson!
FOUR! Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson. Samson goes on backfoot, makes room and slashes the ball towards deep backward point fence.
19:35 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Highest PowerPlay scores
Highest PowerPlay scores in T20 WCs

92/0 - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final
92/1 - WI vs AFG, Bridgetown, 2024
91/1 - NED vs IRE, Sylhet, 2014
89/3 - ENG vs SA, Mumbai WS, 2016
86/1 - IND vs NAM, Delhi, 2026
19:34 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: Powerplay Summary

  • Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson came out all guns blazing as the India national cricket team openers went on a rampage in Ahmedabad.
  • The first two overs were relatively quiet before the batters shifted gears dramatically.
  • New Zealand’s seamers were taken to the cleaners as the pressure mounted.
  • Several wides compounded their woes as plans failed to come off.
  • Abhishek brought up a stunning fifty off just 18 balls.
  • India raced from 12/0 after two overs to 92/0 at the end of the Powerplay.

19:32 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: FIFTY!
FIFTY! Abhishek Sharma slams half century off just 18 balls. What a knock from the Indian opener.

INDIA 92/0 in 5.5 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
19:30 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: STAT ATTACK!
4 overs taken by India also makes it is the fastest team fifty in a T20 World Cup semis or the final.






19:30 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX! for Abhishek!
Jacob Duffy to Abhishek Sharma. It is a full toss and Abhishek easily sends this straight down the ground for a biggie.
19:28 (IST) Mar 08
IND vs NZ Live: SIX for Samson!
SIX! It's raining sixes and fours at the moment in Ahmedabad. Matt Henry bowls another expensive over. Sanju Samson pulls this hard over deep mid-wicket fence.

21 runs off Henry's over

INDIA 72/0 in 5 overs vs NEW ZEALAND
77 More Updates
India vs New Zealand highlights, T20 World Cup Final 2026: India won a record third T20 World Cup title and became the first team to defend their crown with a 96-run thumping of New Zealand in a lop-sided final on Sunday.

Suryakumar Yadav's India were also the first team to lift the trophy on home soil as over 86,000 fans celebrated at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

England and the West Indies have won two titles each.

India beat both those teams en route to the title, including a clutch victory over the West Indies in their final Super Eights match when defeat would have seen them eliminated.

"We never panicked. Kept our heads above the water. Teams that do that win the tournament and I am very happy we did it," said India bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 46 balls guided the co-hosts to 255-5 and Bumrah starred as New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.

Part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma claimed the final wicket of Jacob Duffy, securing a dominant victory.

"I am very grateful for everyone who supported me," said Samson, who was out of the team earlier in the tournament before reeling off three consecutive scores of 89 or better when it mattered most.

"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."

Axar Patel struck two early blows, including the dangerous Finn Allen for nine, with his left-arm spin.

Bumrah was again at his mesmerising best, delivering a succession of brilliant slower-ball yorkers to finish with figures of 4-15.

Opener Tim Seifert hit 52 off 26 balls but his departure in the ninth over off struggling spinner Varun Chakravarthy effectively ended the Black Caps' slim hopes.

Wickets kept tumbling and Bumrah struck with successive deliveries to bring up a hat-trick ball which was just about negotiated by Lockie Ferguson.

Skipper Mitchell Santner hit 43 but was never going to be able to prevent New Zealand from slipping to their second T20 World Cup final loss after they went down to Australia in 2021.

India exorcised the ghosts of the past at the same venue from when they were shocked by Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.