T20 World Cup final: India defeat New Zealand by 96 runs – updates

India become the first hosts to win a T20 World Cup tournament in their own backyard. They also become the first team to secure back-to-back titles after their triumph in the West Indies in 2024.

The result will be celebrated heavily across the length and breath of India, and certainly for all Indians across the globe.

We hope you enjoyed today’s coverage of the T20 World Cup final, and on behalf of Patrick Keddie, Hafsa Adil and Manasi Pathak, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

𝙃𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙄𝘾 🇮🇳🏆

India become the first team to defend their Men’s #T20WorldCup crown 👑 pic.twitter.com/1oRotP1XcP

— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2026

As many as six nations have won the T20 World Cup:

• 3 – India (2007, 2024, 2026)
• 2 – West Indies (2012, 2016), England (2010, 2022)
• 1 – Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014), Australia (2021)

The next T20 World Cup will be held in 2028 and co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah were not among the top five players on the tournament’s leaderboard at the end of the group stage of the World Cup, but come the Super Eights and knockouts, both put on their best displays.

Samson’s staggering 275 runs in three innings – 97 not out against West Indies in the last Super Eights match, 89 in the semifinal and 89 in the final – have propelled him to second position on the run-scoring charts.

Meanwhile, Bumrah’s seven wickets in the last three games, with four in today’s final, have made him the joint leading wicket-taker alongside compatriot Varun Chakravarthy.

In about three months, the Women’s T20 World Cup will begin in England.

The June 12-July 5 tournament will be held across seven stadiums in six cities: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester and Southampton.

Twelve teams will compete for bragging rights at the competition, where New Zealand will look to defend the title they won two years ago.

It’s now Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh and Abhishek Sharma who have broken away from the contingent to start a bhangra dance-off by the boundary line.

There’s no stopping these young Indian players.

The Indian contingent has now begun a lap of honour around the stadium. The trophy is being passed from one player to another while Varun Chakravarthy, Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav break into bhangra dance moves.

The support staff are also walking with the team as they celebrate with the thousands of fans who have stayed behind to soak in the atmosphere.

Given the size of the stadium, it will take them a while before the lap is completed but neither the players nor the fans seem to mind.

As the players take a lap of honour around Narendra Modi Stadium, some are joined by their families.

Axar Patel cradles his young son in his arms, while Jasprit Bumrah is also seen with his toddler.

India’s players are taking their turns getting photographed on the pitch the gave them their third T20 World Cup title.

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan were the first to pose with their winners’ medals and the trophy in the centre of the ground, with other players including captain Suryakumar Yadav, vice-captain Axar Patel and Tilak Varma following suit.

Suryakumar heads over to the podium, where he is handed the trophy by ICC Chairman Jay Shah.

He lifts it with his team, with the 130,000-crowd fully behind him as fireworks go off around the stadium.

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav reflects on the final: “It will take a little time [for the emotions to sink in]. Very happy with what happened today. It has been a long journey.

“It started after the 2024 T20 World Cup final, when everyone showed faith in me [to become captain]. They gave me the opportunity to lead this side.

“It has been a long cycle, but happy to be here. It is a special feeling.

“I think we knew we were playing some good cricket throughout the two years. We just wanted to follow all the good habits.

“It is important to understand what they [Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy] are capable of. I knew they had the match winners in them. The timing was perfect. No bigger stage than a final to do it.

“Just like how Sanju said in the last game, when he wanted to give his man of the match award. He [Jasprit Bumrah] is a once-in-a generation bowler. He is the best in the business. Hopefully, he keeps doing that.”

Now it is time for the hosts to collect their winners’ medals.

There is plenty of cheer from the partisan crowd as they are called up to the stage.

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner spoke after his team collected their medals: “Proud of the boys to make it this far. We had some challenges throughout the tournament. Tonight we were outplayed by a very good team in front of a great crowd.

“After seeing a sea of blue out there, credit to them to win a title at home. It comes with lots of pressure. SKY and his boys should be proud of their work.

“Different guys stepped up at different times. We were confronted by challenges at every stage. Obviously, in the Super Eight and then in the semifinal, we put on a show.”

Narendra Modi Stadium bursts into hearty appreciation for the visitors.

The players are called up one-by-one to collect their medals.

As is usually the custom, the match officials are provided little mementos by the presentation party.

We will have quotes from the two captains to follow.

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has shared a message for Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates.

The moment is extra special for him, as the team will be crowned world champions at the venue named after him in his hometown.

Champions!

Congratulations to the Indian team on winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup!

This remarkable triumph reflects exceptional skills, determination and teamwork. They have shown outstanding grit through the tournament.

This victory has filled every Indian heart with…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2026

While fans in Ahmedabad await the trophy presentation, celebrations are already in full swing in neighbouring Mumbai.

Elated Indian fans are bursting firecrackers as the cricket-mad nation of 1.4 billion celebrates the team’s third T20 World Cup title.

Mumbai dazzling, Congratulations India 🇮🇳 #T20WorldCup2026final pic.twitter.com/EWLYXCjh6M

— Dr. Rahul Baxi (@baxirahul) March 8, 2026