India exorcised the painful memories of 2023 in spectacular fashion after defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, successfully defending their title in front of a raucous home crowd.
Playing at the same venue where they had suffered heartbreak in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, India produced a commanding performance that left no room for doubt about their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
Roared on by more than 100 000 jubilant supporters at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium, the co-hosts delivered a batting masterclass, posting an imposing total of 255 for five in their allotted overs. The aggressive display put New Zealand under immense pressure from the outset and set the tone for a memorable night for the home fans.
India’s bowlers then complemented the batting effort with a disciplined display that ensured New Zealand never truly threatened the massive target. The Kiwis struggled to keep up with the required run rate and were eventually overwhelmed as India sealed a comprehensive 96-run victory.
The triumph not only avenged the ghosts of past disappointments in Ahmedabad but also etched India’s name deeper into cricket history. With the win, they became the first team to successfully defend the men’s T20 World Cup title.
India’s latest success further cements their supremacy in white-ball cricket, having now won the last three major men’s limited-overs tournaments, the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and now another T20 World Cup crown.
For the jubilant home supporters, the victory represented both redemption and celebration, as India turned a ground once associated with heartbreak into a stage for historic glory.
