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NEW DELHI: Suryakumar Yadav’s team, widely regarded as India’s finest T20 outfit, created history on Sunday by clinching an unprecedented third T20 World Cup title, crushing New Zealand by 96 runs with a breathtaking batting display and disciplined bowling.

Suryakumar’s men also became the first men’s international side to win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles and the first to lift the trophy on home soil.

Samson, Abhishek power India to record total

Sanju Samson (89 off 46 balls) and Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21 balls) gave India a flying start, piling up 92 runs in the Powerplay and 98 for the opening stand after a tactical miscalculation by Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner helped India surge to a record 255 for 5.

Having misjudged the pitch conditions, Santner opted to include medium pacer Jacob Duffy while leaving out off-spinner Cole McConchie, a decision that ultimately proved costly.

Chase never looked possible for New Zealand

In front of a packed crowd of nearly 86,000 spectators, the chase never really took off as New Zealand struggled throughout before being bowled out for 159. With this triumph, Suryakumar — the cricketer from Mumbai’s Chembur — joined the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in the record books.

“Champions! 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 pride and joy. Well done, Team India!” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X soon after the victory.

Gambhir’s influence and Bumrah’s brilliance

Much credit also went to head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had faced criticism earlier but became the first coach to guide India to two T20 World Cup titles.

Following the batting blitz, Jasprit Bumrah ensured that New Zealand never had a chance to recover. The pacer once again showcased his mastery with remarkable figures of 4 for 15 in four overs, adding another memorable chapter to what is already shaping into a legendary career.

A team built on talent and unity

As unbelievable as it may sound, this Indian T20 side under Gambhir’s guidance carried an aura similar to the legendary USA ‘Dream Team’ of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics that featured basketball icons Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Much like that side, this Indian team — packed with the biggest stars from the IPL — carried an air of invincibility throughout the tournament and rarely looked like losing, having been favourites even before the competition began.

If the 2007 T20 World Cup victory transformed Indian cricket and gave birth to a giant like the IPL, and the 2024 triumph healed the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss, the 2026 title win firmly establishes India’s dominance in the format.

This campaign was less about perfection and more about different players stepping up at crucial moments.

Abhishek Sharma had endured a quiet tournament but redeemed himself in the final, while Samson delivered perhaps the most defining innings of his career at a time when questions were being raised about his place in the side.

Bumrah, the “crazy diamond” of Indian cricket, delivered his trademark yorkers whenever the team needed breakthroughs, while Axar Patel contributed with brilliant catches that turned matches.

Ishan Kishan acted as the stabilising force in the batting line-up, the skipper provided leadership and balance, and Gambhir served as the strategic brain guiding the team from the background.

The strong bond within the squad was evident throughout the tournament, with players constantly backing each other when situations became difficult.

Both Suryakumar and Gambhir deserve credit for taking forward the champion legacy built by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and elevating it to another level.

When India batted in the final, Samson dominated the New Zealand attack alongside the destructive Abhishek, who saved his best performance for the title clash in India’s record-breaking innings.

And if that wasn’t enough, Ishan Kishan (54 off 25 balls) ensured the fireworks continued as India’s top three combined to completely overwhelm New Zealand with a sensational display.

Abhishek made full use of Santner’s tactical gamble, smashing a rapid 52 off just 21 balls, while Samson’s powerful yet elegant knock of 89 off 46 balls stood out as one of the defining performances of the match.

His innings included eight towering sixes — some over long-on, others over square leg, straight down the ground and even over long-off.

Samson made Rachin Ravindra’s spin and the pace attack of Lockie Ferguson (0/48 in two overs) and Matt Henry (0/49 in four overs) look ordinary in what turned into a ruthless assault on a quality bowling line-up.

After earlier match-winning performances against West Indies and England, the Kerala star finally silenced his critics who had questioned his consistency for years.

Abhishek too had faced scrutiny after a string of failures, but the Punjab batter delivered when it mattered most with help from some loose bowling by the New Zealand pacers.

His quickfire fifty — brought up in just 18 balls with trademark straight sixes — lit up the Ahmedabad night under the floodlights.

Jacob Duffy’s medium pace became easy pickings for Abhishek, who struck five of his six boundaries off him.

Matt Henry also struggled, and once Samson launched him for a towering six over long-on, the momentum firmly shifted India’s way. With 92 runs already on the board in the Powerplay, the match had effectively swung towards the hosts.

Even after Rachin Ravindra removed Abhishek following the 98-run opening partnership off just 43 balls, Kishan maintained the tempo with four sixes and four boundaries to keep the scoreboard racing.

(With PTI Inputs)