Tendulkar Celebrates India's Record-Breaking T20 World Cup Final Performance

In a thrilling ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final, India showcased an extraordinary performance, setting a record total of 255 runs against New Zealand. Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar commended the team's batting prowess, highlighting key contributions from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson. Despite a brief collapse in the middle overs, Shivam Dube's explosive finish ensured India secured a historic victory. This article delves into the match's key moments and performances that led to India's triumph.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 8, 2026, 21:43 IST

Tendulkar Praises Indian Batting Stars

Iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar expressed his admiration for the Indian team following their outstanding display in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Key performances from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson enabled the defending champions to achieve an impressive total of 255 runs for 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Record-Breaking Total in T20 World Cup Final

In the match, remarkable half-centuries from Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, along with a late surge from Shivam Dube, propelled India to a historic score of 255 runs, marking the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final. Dube's explosive innings included an unbeaten 26 runs off just 8 balls, notably scoring 24 runs in the final over against James Neesham.

New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner, won the toss and opted to field first against India.

Dynamic Opening Partnership

The Indian opening pair, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, capitalized on New Zealand's inexperience during the powerplay. After a cautious start, they accelerated, scoring 24 runs in the fourth over, becoming the first opening duo to achieve a 50+ partnership in a T20 World Cup final.

New Zealand's bowlers, particularly Matt Henry, struggled to maintain control, with Henry giving away four wides in the fifth over, contributing to a total of eight extras during the powerplay—the highest in T20I history for New Zealand.

Samson and Sharma amassed 92 runs during the powerplay, setting a new record for the highest score in this phase of a T20 World Cup match.

Sharma reached his fifty in just 18 balls, marking the fastest half-century of the tournament, with six fours and three sixes. Although he faced challenges earlier in the tournament, he rose to the occasion in the final, scoring 52 runs off 21 balls before being dismissed by Rachin Ravindra.

Continued Aggression from Samson and Kishan

Despite losing Sharma, India maintained their aggressive approach. Samson and Ishan Kishan formed a formidable partnership, adding 93 runs off just 41 balls for the second wicket, bringing India's score to 191 for 1 in 14 overs.

Samson's remarkable form continued as he scored another half-century in the T20 World Cup final, marking his third consecutive fifty in the tournament, making him the third player to achieve this in both a semi-final and final.

New Zealand's pace attack, featuring Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry, struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, with Ferguson conceding 48 runs in just two overs.

Neesham's Key Breakthrough

James Neesham provided New Zealand with a crucial breakthrough in the 16th over, dismissing Samson, Kishan, and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was out for a golden duck. This sudden collapse saw India slip from 203 for 2 to 204 for 4, allowing New Zealand to regain some control over the match.

Dube's Late-Game Heroics

In his final over, veteran bowler Henry claimed the wicket of Hardik Pandya, who scored 18 runs. However, Dube's explosive hitting in the last over helped India finish with a total of 255 runs for 5 wickets, just shy of the highest score in T20 World Cup history.