India set New Zealand a daunting target of 256 in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Sanju Samson's explosive 89 off 46 balls, supported by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, propelled India to their third-highest total in World Cup history. New Zealand's chase began with an early dropped catch of Finn Allen, as Tim Seifert struck two sixes off Hardik Pandya.
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final unfolded at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8, 2026, with New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner winning the toss and opting to bowl first. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, capitalized on the decision, racing to 92 without loss in the powerplay—the highest in tournament history—thanks to an aggressive opening stand of 98 between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
Sharma, who had struggled earlier in the tournament, smashed 52 off 21 balls, including six fours and three sixes, marking the fastest fifty in the 2026 edition. Samson followed with a masterful 89 off 46 balls, featuring five fours and eight sixes, including three consecutive maximums off Rachin Ravindra in the 14th over. Ishan Kishan added 54 off 25 balls, forming a 100-run partnership with Samson to push India past 200 in the 15th over.
New Zealand fought back in the 16th over, with James Neesham taking three wickets for one run: Samson caught at long-on for 89, Kishan at the same position, and Yadav for a golden duck. Despite the collapse to 204/4, Shivam Dube's unbeaten 26 off eight balls, including three fours and two sixes in the final over off Neesham, lifted India to 255/5—the third-highest T20 World Cup total and a record for a final.
Neesham finished with 3/46, while Ravindra and Matt Henry claimed one wicket each. India's innings featured 18 sixes and 184 boundary runs, the third-most in a World Cup match. New Zealand's reply began steadily, but a dropped catch by Dube off Arshdeep Singh saw Finn Allen survive on nought. Seifert then hit two sixes and two fours off Pandya, racing to 21/0 after two overs, needing 235 more at 12.80 runs per over.
"It has been a remarkable innings," commentator Henry Moeran said of Samson's knock. India aim to become the first team to win three T20 World Cups and retain the title, while New Zealand seek their maiden victory after three prior final losses.
