Superb India crush New Zealand to defend T20 title

India banished the ghosts of 2023 by emphatically beating New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad to defend their T20 World Cup title.

“India banished the ghosts of 2023 by emphatically beating New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad to defend their T20 World Cup title”

BBC

Co-hosts romped to 255-5 — two more than they managed in Thursday's semi-final against England — in front of a crowd of more than 100,000 jubilant supporters.

BBC

The top three all flourished in supreme batting conditions: Sanju Samson crashed 89 from 46 deliveries, Abhishek Sharma made a 21-ball 52 and Ishan Kishan scored 54 from 25.

Jimmy Neesham took three wickets in the 16th over, and Shivam Dube hit 24 from the last to push India beyond a par score.

New Zealand's chase never recovered.

Tim Seifert whacked 52 from 26 balls, but the Black Caps lost regular wickets, including Finn Allen for nine in the third over.

BBC

They were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah bamboozled the lower order to finish with 4-15.

He used perfect slower-ball yorkers to dismiss Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry and captain Mitchell Santner.

The comprehensive win made India the first side to defend the men's T20 World Cup.

It extended their run to three consecutive men's white-ball tournament victories — this, the 2024 title and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

India's top three became the first to all reach fifty in a men's T20 World Cup.

“India banished the ghosts of 2023 by emphatically beating New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad to defend their T20 World Cup title”

BBC

They put on 203 after 15.1 overs.

They hit 12 of the innings' 18 sixes and India's tournament total of 106 sixes was 30 more than any other team, a T20 World Cup record.

New Zealand's tactical gamble — bringing in Jacob Duffy for off-spinner Cole McConchie — backfired.

Duffy finished 0-42 from three overs.

Lockie Ferguson's two overs cost 48.

There were eight wides in the first four overs.

Player of the tournament Sanju Samson said 'It feels like a dream'.

player of the match Jasprit Bumrah said he 'used all my experience on a flat wicket'.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said he was 'proud of the boys' but that they were outplayed.