Team India Makes History by Winning Third ICC Men's T20 World Cup
Historic Victory for Team India
Cricket icons and current players celebrated Team India's remarkable achievement after they secured their third ICC Men's T20 World Cup title in 2026, marking the first time any team has successfully defended the trophy in this format.
The Men in Blue triumphed in style, becoming the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup. They also made history by being the first team to clinch the T20 WC title on home soil and to achieve three T20 WC victories overall. Key performances from Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah, along with a strong showing from top-order batsmen Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, led India to a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Cricketing Community Celebrates the Win
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praised the team for their historic back-to-back T20 World Cup wins, stating, "Winning the World Cup twice in a row is a first for any team in T20 history. They are truly deserving champions. What an incredible performance and a unique style of cricket displayed. Congratulations, Team India. Jai Hind!" Tendulkar shared his thoughts on X.
Former spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his pride, saying, "Congratulations Team India in advance before the network gets too busy. Super proud of our team. JAI HIND," on X.
Star batsman Virat Kohli highlighted the team's resilience and aggressive play throughout the tournament, calling the victory a phenomenal achievement. He remarked, "Champions. A phenomenal win for Team India in Ahmedabad. Our explosive cricket was unmatched throughout the tournament. The boys showed remarkable character in tough situations to become world champions again. Congratulations to all players and management for this achievement. Jai Hind!" on X.
Batter Shubman Gill also expressed his pride, stating, "So proud of our team. Winning a World Cup for India is a dream, and you've made the entire nation proud. Congratulations, boys," on X.
Match Highlights: India vs New Zealand
In the final match, New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first. India set a formidable target, scoring 255/5, with standout performances from:
- Sanju Samson: 89 runs off 46 balls (5 fours, 8 sixes)
- Abhishek Sharma: 52 runs off 21 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes)
- Ishan Kishan: 54 runs off 25 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes)
- Shivam Dube: 26* runs off 8 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes)
Despite Tim Seifert's fifty (52 runs off 26 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes), New Zealand fell short against India's bowling prowess, with Axar Patel taking 3 wickets for 27 runs and Jasprit Bumrah claiming 4 wickets for just 15 runs. This victory secured India's third T20 World Cup title, making them the first team to defend the title and the first host nation to win it.