Magnificent India Prove They Are the Undisputed Masters of T20 Cricket

If there were any remaining doubts about which nation stands supreme in T20 cricket, Sunday’s World Cup final removed them with clinical finality. India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs to win their second consecutive T20 World Cup title, becoming the first men’s team to do so and the first to win the tournament on home soil. They are the undisputed masters of the shortest format.
India’s batting lineup is the deepest and most explosive in T20 cricket, and the final showcased every dimension of it. The top three — Sharma, Samson, and Kishan — all scored fifties. The powerplay produced 92 without loss in six overs, a record-equalling total. Even with a mid-innings wobble of four wickets in five overs, India posted a total of 255 that was always going to be beyond New Zealand.
The mid-innings cluster of wickets — including a remarkable Neesham over of one run and three dismissals — provided the only moment of genuine drama in a one-sided match. Samson fell for 89, Kishan for 54, and Suryakumar for a golden duck, all in quick succession. Dube’s late over revived the total and India ended on a formidable 255.
New Zealand never found their footing in the chase. Allen was gone early. Seifert battled to a brave fifty. The middle order added little. Bumrah was at his finest — three wickets, Man of the Match, and a bowling display that demonstrated why he is considered among the greatest T20 bowlers of all time. New Zealand were dismissed for 159 with 96 runs needed.
India have now won the T20 World Cup twice consecutively, an achievement that no men’s team in history can match. Their players celebrated with the 100,000 fans who had packed every corner of the stadium. They are champions of the world, and on this evidence, they intend to remain that way.