India vs New Zealand, Final Match Summary

Time to sign off - The curtains fall on the 10th edition of the Men's T20 World Cup, where 20 teams graced the global stage and delivered on the tournament's promise to Feel the Thrill. The next edition of the tournament will be held in 2028, with Australia and New Zealand set to co-host. But before that, the cricketing world will turn its attention to the Women's T20 World Cup later this year, followed by the Men's ODI World Cup next year. Bilateral cricket resumes next week, so be sure to check that out as well. Cheers!

India's crowning moment - Suryakumar Yadav is invited to collect the trophy from Mr Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, with the rest of the Indian team already on the podium waiting for their skipper. Suryakumar hoists the silverware. Fireworks go off in the background, and the celebrations begin. The celebrations will go on long into the night as the Indians bask in the glory of their success.

India's skipper speaks after the triumph - On being asked about whether it has sunk in yet, Suryakumar Yadav says it will take a little bit of time for that. Expresses his happiness with what has happened. Reflects, post 2024, it has been a long journey. Credits Rohit Sharma, the former Indian captain, and Jay Shah, who was the then Secretary of the BCCI and is now the ICC Chairman, for showing faith in him. Mentions that coming to the Narendra Modi Stadium and achieving this is a very special feeling. Highlights that they have played good cricket throughout these two years, and they just wanted to follow the good habits from the 2024 World Cup win. On being asked about keeping faith in his players, he says it was really important to understand what they were capable of, and that he always knew they had match winners within the group. He calls it perfect timing, describing Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as top players whom he knew would do something special, and they delivered in the final. He reserves special praise for Jasprit Bumrah, calling him a once-in-a-generation bowler and a national treasure, saying he knows exactly how it needs to be done and is simply the best in the business.

Time for the champions to go on stage. First up, it's Jasprit Bumrah, followed by the rest of the Indian team.

Mitchell Santner reflects on the campaign - The New Zealand skipper collects his medal and walks over for a chat with Harsha Bhogle. Santner says that he is proud of the boys for making it through to the final. Adds that they had challenges, but at each stage, they put up a good fight. Mentions that they got outplayed by a great team in this game. It was a sea of blue, and India were the home favourites. Credits India and says that playing a home World Cup comes with a lot of pressure, and SKY and the boys should be proud of this achievement. Ends by saying that they put up good performances in the Super 8 and then the way they won the semi-final was great, with different players stepping up at different times, but they fell short in the final.

Up next, the members of the runners-up New Zealand side are called upon to collect their medals, starting with Finn Allen. As Harsha Bhogle announces their names, they are greeted with cheers from the crowd.

First up, the match officials of the final are invited to collect their medals for officiating tonight's game.

It's finally time for the presentation proceedings...

A drone show is in progress as we wait to hear from the captains. The families of the Indian team have come out onto the park to join the celebrations. The 2024 T20 World Cup-winning captain and ambassador for this tournament, Rohit Sharma, is also out there congratulating the Indian players. The crowd is waiting patiently, and a fair number of them have stayed back to watch their team lift the trophy.

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT - Sanju Samson is the recipient of the award. 321 runs in 5 innings for Samson at a strike rate of 199.37. He describes the moment as feeling like a dream coming true. He expresses being very, very happy and deeply grateful, admitting he is out of words and out of emotions. He says he is simply going through it all, and that it feels very surreal. On being asked about his thought process on performing in the knockouts, Sanju Samson reflects that it had actually begun one to two years prior. He shares that when he was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup winning team, without getting to play a single game, he kept visualizing and kept dreaming. He opens up about how he was left broken after the New Zealand series, feeling as though his dreams had been completely shattered, and found himself wondering what he could do. But he says that he believed God had different plans, and that he was rewarded for being brave enough to dream. He also reveals that a number of former players had reached out to help him for the last couple of months. Also shares that he had been in constant contact with Sachin Tendulkar, having had long, meaningful conversations with him after reaching out. He says that receiving guidance from someone like Sachin sir was something he could not ask for more, and expresses deep gratitude to everyone who supported him. Says that this achievement itself is very big for him, and that he simply wants to enjoy the moment right now before figuring out his next goals after a few days.

PLAYER OF THE FINAL - Jasprit Bumrah wins the award for his brilliance with the ball. He returned figures of 4/15 in 4 overs, his best in T20Is. Bumrah says that it feels extremely special. Adds that he lost one final here at his home venue, and it is great to finally win one here. Mentions that he knew that the wicket was flat and he had to use all his experience. Before the tournament, he was in a zone where he was trying too hard, but here he just tried to let the game come to him. Reckons that his individual assessment is one of his biggest strengths, and winning the POTM in a final at his home venue, nothing gets better than this. Further adds that he has played on belters and realised that bowling too fast often makes shot-making easier, so he just tried to be one step ahead of the batter and be smart. Ends by saying that the biggest thing was that they never panicked, even when things got hard, and the communication was key to their success.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

India's batters set it up - After being asked to bat first, India raced off the blocks with Abhishek Sharma coming to the party on the night of the final, smashing the fastest fifty of this World Cup in just 18 balls. Sanju Samson continued his resurgence, while Ishan Kishan chipped in with a fifty of his own to lay an ideal platform for the Men in Blue. At 203/1 at the end of 15 overs, India looked destined for a lot more than the 255 they eventually finished with. A three-wicket over from James Neesham gave New Zealand a sniff, but late fireworks from Shivam Dube ensured the home side got past 250.

New Zealand outplayed on the night - The key to the way England approached the chase of 254 in Mumbai in the semifinal against India was that they never allowed the required rate to get out of sight and had one batter, Jacob Bethell, playing a blinder of a knock. Neither of those things materialised for New Zealand tonight. Tim Seifert did throw a few punches, but nothing substantial. With the ball, New Zealand went with an extra pacer on the night, but their quicks came in for severe punishment. Interestingly, Glenn Phillips bowled just one over despite India's struggles against off-spin, and the other offie Cole McConchie was left out to accommodate the additional seamer.

Here's Tilak Varma - On the team’s batting flexibility, Tilak points out that the players have been preparing for the last year and a half to be ready to bat at any position, depending on the team’s needs. He adds that everyone in the squad is in the right mindset to step into any role when required. Speaking about the fielding effort, Varma details that the players always rise to the occasion when the team needs it. While he admits that it was not their best fielding performance tonight, he is overall pleased that they held on to some important catches. Varma expresses his delight with the win in the final and hints that they will have big celebrations in the next couple of days and follow it up in the upcoming IPL season.

We now hear from Arshdeep Singh - Arshdeep says that he went up to apologise to Mitchell. Jokingly says that the ball reverse swung a bit too much and hit him. Mentions that it feels great right now, but the emotions will settle in the next couple of days. Says that this is a team filled with match-winners, and the result is the icing on the cake. Ends by saying that as a bowler, their role is to restrict the opponents to under 250, if they are batting first and score that much.

Up next is Washington Sundar - On the team environment, Washington credits the entire support staff for the work they have put in throughout the tournament and even in the lead-up to it. He says every individual in the squad has been outstanding and that the success belongs to everyone in the group. Sundar also adds that it is a wonderful feeling for the whole team to be part of such moments, while also expressing confidence that there is much more to come.

Now it's the turn of Shivam Dube - Danny Morrison playfully calls him 'Dubs'. Dube says his role was to hit big sixes from the first day of the tournament. He also admits that sometimes the other batters went up to fire, but adds that he always backed himself whenever he got the opportunity. Admits that he didn't bowl well in the tournament, but says he will come back stronger. On playing in front of the crowd, he says it was one of the biggest stages and credits the passionate support of the Indian fans throughout the tournament. He also notes that the team felt the love and backing in different match situations and adds that the victory belongs to the supporters of the Indian cricket team.

Next in line is Varun Chakaravarthy - Varun says that it is a surreal feeling to win back-to-back T20 World Cups. Adds that he is also very happy for Abhishek that he got runs in this game. Says that both of them kept chatting that nothing was working for them, but ultimately, they won the World Cup.

First up is Abhishek Sharma - Abhishek says that one thing was very clear that the coach and captain had trust in him even when he himself was having doubts. Credits the team management and his teammates for backing him all the way through the tournament. Mentions that it wasn't easy for him as he wanted to score runs and got a bit emotional in the middle of the tournament, but feels great that he came good on the night of the final.

Let's get some immediate reactions from the champions....

India retain the crown! Mission accomplished for the Men in Blue as they clinch a record third T20 World Cup title. History is made tonight as India become the first host nation to win the tournament and the first defending champions to successfully retain the trophy. Before the start of the tournament, let's be honest, not many would have had New Zealand as one of the two finalists. They proved all those who doubted them wrong and came into the final riding high on confidence after a thumping win over South Africa, but ran into an Indian side that proved far too strong on the night.

OUT! CAUGHT! It is all over. Abhishek bowls it on a length outside off at 70.3 kph. Slower through the air, the ball grips and turns. Duffy goes for a flat-batted hit down the ground but mistimes it. Tilak Varma settles under it near the ropes and completes a fine catch. He lobs the ball up in the air, sensing he might step onto the ropes, but he is well inside the field and calmly takes it again. A comprehensive win for the Men in Blue as Eoin Morgan on air mentions that this is India's biggest win in a T20 World Cup match. The celebrations start in the Indian dugout and the noise is absolutely deafening at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The ghosts of 2023 have been exorcised in 2026 as INDIA WIN THE T20 WORLD CUP for the third time and defend their crown in a commanding fashion. India win by 96 runs.

Taken at long on by Tilak Varma. The celebrations have begun in the Indian camp. And there comes the confirmation.

Slower through the air, full and outside off, Ferguson carves it to the left of mid off for a single.

A touch short, on off, Jacob flat bats it over the bowler. Long on cuts it off to his left. One taken.

Dropped short, on top of off. Lockie Ferguson rocks back and tries to pull, but miscues it over mid on for a single.

Duffy advances and slaps this length ball to deep extra cover for a single.

Short on off, Lockie shimmies down the track and mistimes the heave to long on for a single.

Abhishek Sharma has been tossed the ball now.