IND vs NZ Final, T20 World Cup Up 2026 Today Cricket Match Live Score: The India national cricket team finally had their crowning moment at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The same ground that once witnessed one of India’s most painful defeats now turned into the stage for history.
India defeated the New Zealand national cricket team to lift the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy for the third time, becoming the first team ever to reach that milestone. It was a complete performance in the final.
India saved their best for the biggest night of the tournament and dominated New Zealand in all departments. The final moment captured the drama perfectly.
A short delivery from Abhishek Sharma was pulled high into the air by Jacob Duffy. Stationed near the boundary, Tilak Varma showed brilliant awareness, tossing the ball up to avoid stepping over the rope before safely completing the catch. As the ball went up in celebration, teammates rushed in, with Ishan Kishan jumping onto Tilak.
India had done it. A historic night – A long-awaited triumph.
India vs New Zealand Final, T20 World Cup 2026: Where to Watch Live Streaming
The final match between India and New Zealand will be broadcasted on Star Sports Network (TV) and Jiohotstar (OTT).
India vs NZ Final T20 World Cup 2026: Probable Playing 11
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.
New Zealand vs IND T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Weather and Pitch Report
A high-scoring contest, like the second semifinal the other night, is on the cards. The pitch will be a mix of red and soil which will be conducive for high scores. There is no better opportunity for India to end the losing streak against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.
IND vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Head to Head
New Zealand have sheer dominance over India in T20 World Cups with 3 wins.
Also Read: Top run scorers for India in their last 10 ICC knockout wins
Surya receives the trophy from ICC Chairman Jay Shah and the players are jumping on the podium as he hoists it above his head. Fireworks go off.
It will take a little bit of time. Very happy with what has happened. Has been a long journey. Started post 2024 when BCCI, Jay bhai that time secretary, showed faith in me. Coming here at Shri Narendra Modi Stadium and doing it is a special feeling. Were playing good cricket throughout the two years and it was going well. Wanted to follow the good habits from the 2024 World Cup. It's really important to understand what they're capable of. Timing was perfect for Sanju to come in. Varun, Abhishek - World No.1 players. Also how Bumrah, Hardik and Axar - they've been in the system for a long time. Like how Sanju said in the last game, once in a generation bowler. I can call him a national treasure. He knows what needs to be done. How it needs to be done.
Proud of the boys to make it this far. Had some challenges throughout the tournament. Tonight we were outplayed by a very good team in front of a great crowd. Most games we play here it's always a great crowd. Credit to India to win a title at home. Comes with a lot of pressure. Sky and the boys should be proud of the work. Different guys stepped up at different times. Super Eights and semis we put on a good show but tonight we were outplayed. Boys should be proud.
SANJU SAMSON WON POTT AWARD BY PLAYING JUST 5 MATCHES. 🥶🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/fvLlELDaFL
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 8, 2026
Matches: 27Won: 25Lost: 1 (vs SA in this tournament)NR: 1
Matches: 33Won: 31Lost: 2
80.77% - Suryakumar Yadav (M: 52, W: 42, L: 8, NR: 2)80.65% - Rohit Sharma (M: 62, W: 50, L: 12)78.38% - Sarfaraz Ahmed (M:37, W: 29, L: 8)69.23% - Mitchell Marsh (M: 39, W: 27, L: 9, NR: 3)66.67% - Graeme Smith (M: 27, W: 18, L: 9)
2 - Pakistan (2007, 2022)2 - Sri Lanka (2009, 2012)2 - New Zealand (2021, 2026)
499 - IND vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF414 - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final388 - AUS vs PAK, Gros Islet, 2010 SF388 - IND vs WI, Mumbai WS, 2016 SF
107 runs - WI vs ZIM, Mumbai WS, 2026104 runs - SA vs BAN, Sydney, 2022104 runs - WI vs AFG, Gros Islet, 202496 runs - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final90 runs - IND vs ENG, Colombo RPS, 2012
2014: Virat Kohli2016: Virat Kohli2024: Jasprit Bumrah2026: Sanju Samson
Very, very happy, very grateful, out of words, out of emotions. I just going through it. So it's a bit surreal. come up with these performances and what was a virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies, that are semi-final half century, and the final here today, the biggest stage of them all, thought process. I'll be very honest, I think I think they started one to 2 years before, when I was with the 2024 World Cup winning team in West Indies, I couldn't play a game. I kept on visualising, I kept on dreaming, I kept on working. This is exactly what I wanted to do then. I thought I need to work in. I need to put in so much of work that this is exactly what I wanted to achieve. And by God's grace, I think today things have turned around, I think, right after the New Zealand series, I was broke. I was completely out of my mind. I was like, okay, my dreams have shattered. Okay, what else can I do? But God had different plans. I think I suddenly came back into the crucial games and I did what I could for my country. So I think I'm very proud and very happy that I was courageous enough to dream about it. And actually, things have turned up so nicely for me, so very grateful. The conditions are where I'm your stroke. What please you on reflection now about the way that you matted out there today? Yes, sir, I think, to be very honest, a lot of guidance and suggestions from our senior players in the former Indian team have really reached out to me and they try to help me out. But I think from last couple of months, I think I hope I can share it here. I think I have been in constant touch with Sachin, sir. I think Sachin general Taxar, I think when I was outside sitting outside in Australia, was not playing a game, so I thought about, okay, what is the mindset required of now? So I reached out to sir, and I had huge, huge, big conversations with him, and right yesterday also he called me up to check, how am I feeling? So I think getting a guidance from someone like him, what more can I ask for? I think that clarity, that game preparation, that game awareness, that game sends, I think, very grateful for everyone who supported me. And this takes you forward now. There are more things that Sancho Samson wants to achieve, finally. Yeah, so I think, but this itself is very big for me. I need to enjoy it right now, and then I think out a few days, we'll figure out what next to do.
Champions ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Phenomenal win for Team India in Ahmedabad. Absolutely no match for the explosive cricket played by us throughout the tournament. Brilliant character shown by the boys to keep fighting in tough situations and become world champions once again. Congratulations to…
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 8, 2026
India becomes the first team to win the T20 World Cup 3 times.
India becomes the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup.
India becomes the first team to win the T20 Cup at home.
Sanju Samson
Jasprit Bumrah
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
Very honest, you know, the moment I got out of the team and, you know, it was a big journey for me, coming from domestic playing this tournament, making it to the team and, you know, winning the championship. It's been a, you know, roller coaster for me right now, and I think we need to get more of these championships because these times I think I would never forget in my life, and today I'm very happy, and so is the team, and we do it again and again and again. I know it's difficult to sum up the feelings, but if I were to ask you to pick one moment from the World Cup, where you thought, this is ours now, only we can falter and let it get out of our grass, too, Con Salam, however. I think that was day one when we started the World Cup. You know how we went in, how we were approaching towards the game? I think everyone, all the senior players, Fred goes to them as well. They were, you know, onto the mark asking us, do you know, put all your effort, give you 100%, and that's what we did. And that is the quality of the champion team, I guess. Japjarkan Koabo title, Jita, when he was scoring that 100, you were winning that final. If somebody told you you'll be standing in Ahmedabad on the 8th of March in doing this, what would you have said to him? I think we would do it with Grace, we'll do it with a smile on our face, and we'll be humbled throughout the tournament, and we will do it. That was the thing I said to my friends and my family members as well, and today we here we are as a champion team.
If I do, bye. Now, dude, tell me about your role on the side, because normally you'd better, but higher, wouldn't you? So how was your mindset and thinking about how you're going to approach this new position in this Indian team? It was always there to hit some big success. That was my role since 1st day of this tournament, and yeah, sometime it happens, some other batsmen are there when they go up, but yes, I always back myself and think that whenever I get opportunity, I will hit some success. What about this bowling? You're going to be developing more of your bowling? I've developed a lot, but yeah, I have not boiled this tournament, but yes, I'm going to come better next time. And what about tonight? I mean, see if people here. It's a great stage. Tonight, celebrating long on into the week. Definitely, it's one of the biggest stays today, and the crowd was amazing. This tournament belongs to the supporters of Indian cricket team. The prey and I think we have got that love, which supported us a lot in the bad situations. I think all credit goes to all the Indian cricket team support us. Yeah, wonderful, well, Washington.
Kapil Dev, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni in the stands. - Jay Shah invited the ICC Trophy winning captains for the Final. 👏🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/1GN36irRs0
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 8, 2026
Ishan came running in to climb on Tilak. Then the dugout rose and hugged with Gambhir and Kotak embracing. Axar went to Samson to congratulate. SKY and the others celebrate. Ishan hugs SKY. Hardik has an Indian flag in his hand and so do Rinku and Ishan. Kids in their whites run on to the field with the Indian flags in their hands. The post-match handshakes follow. Gambhir is hugged by Pandya, SKY and the others. Santner manages a smile. Pandya does a little jig with the flag wrapped behind his back. He blows a kiss to someone in the crowd. SKY and Pandya pose together for the cameras with their Indian flags.
First team to win it at home. First team to win it back to back. And the first team to win it three times. They came in as favourites, and they've lived up to that tag. Rarely do you see the kind of domination in T20 cricket that Suryakumar Yadav's team has been able to achieve. A win percentage of close to 80 over a two-year period. It's unheard of. No one deserves the trophy more than this bunch of players who have made winning a habit in a format that is notorious for its unpredictability.
STAR SPORTS EDIT FOR TEAM INDIA. 🇮🇳- Time to add the 3rd star. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/CMRqIGSlHv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 8, 2026
India get their much-awaited crowning moment at Ahmedabad. The same venue that was the scene of one of their biggest heartbreaks now bears witness as they create history. They win the T20 World Cup for the third time, becoming the first team to do so. Some other firsts as well.
Abhishek Sharma to Jacob Duffy, out Caught by Tilak Varma!! Jacob Duffy c Tilak Varma b Abhishek Sharma 3(5)
Jasprit Bumrah to Mitchell Santner, out Bowled!! This is just sensational. Hardik gives him a big hug. Mitchell Santner b Jasprit Bumrah 43(35) [4s-3 6s-2]
Arshdeep Singh to Mitchell Santner, FOUR, between mid-wicket and long-on
Jasprit Bumrah to Matt Henry, out Bowled!! Matt Henry b Jasprit Bumrah 0(1)
Jasprit Bumrah to James Neesham, out Bowled!! Cleaned up by the slower ball. It's a full toss that dips late, Neesham swings over the top of the ball and it crashes into the base of middle and leg. James Neesham b Jasprit Bumrah 8(7) [4s-1]
Arshdeep Singh bowls a tight over with sharp yorkers and slower balls as James Neesham and Mitchell Santner struggle for runs.
Arshdeep Singh to James Neesham, wide, slower short ball well wide of off,
Hardik Pandya to James Neesham, wide
Hardik Pandya to Mitchell Santner, no run, appeal from Hardik for LBW, not given and he has convinced his captain to go for it. Review taken! It's a yorker from over the wicket, sneaks past the inside edge and hits Santner on the back leg.
Axar Patel strikes again as Daryl Mitchell holes out to Ishan Kishan, putting India firmly on top.
Axar Patel to James Neesham, FOUR, to backward square leg
Axar Patel to Mitchell Santner, FOUR, to square third man, the partnership between Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell is now
Mitchell Santner counterattacks Varun Chakaravarthy with two powerful sixes as New Zealand try to stay in the chase.
Varun Chakaravarthy to Mitchell Santner, SIX, to long-on
Varun Chakaravarthy to Mitchell Santner, SIX, to long-off
Daryl Mitchell fights back with two big sixes off Arshdeep Singh as tension briefly rises after a heated moment.
Arshdeep Singh to Daryl Mitchell, no run, Mitchell is furious with Arshdeep. He makes animated gestures with his hands while walking towards him aggressively. Surya now tries to defuse the situation as he has a chat with Mitchell.
Arshdeep Singh to Daryl Mitchell, SIX, to deep mid-wicket
Arshdeep Singh to Daryl Mitchell, SIX, to deep mid-wicket
Hardik Pandya keeps things tight as Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell manage only singles and a couple.
Varun Chakaravarthy removes Tim Seifert for 52 as Ishan Kishan takes another sharp catch near the boundary.
Varun Chakaravarthy to Mitchell Santner, FOUR, to deep backward point
Varun Chakaravarthy to Mitchell Santner, byes, FOUR
Varun Chakaravarthy to Tim Seifert, out Caught by Ishan Kishan!! Is that the World Cup for India? The celebrations seem like it. Indian flags flying high in Ahmedabad Tim Seifert c Ishan Kishan b Varun Chakaravarthy 52(26) [4s-2 6s-5]
