Virat Kohli congratulated Sanju Samson with a heartfelt message after the wicketkeeper-batter was named Player of the Tournament in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Samson played a key role in India’s historic title triumph after the India national cricket team defeated the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Kerala star finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the tournament with 321 runs in five matches, averaging 80.25 with a strike rate close to 200. Samson became only the third Indian to win the award after Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. (PC: BCCI)

Several Pakistan cricket greats congratulated the India national cricket team after their third title win at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Former players including Mohammad Hafeez, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi, Sana Mir, Umar Gul and Shoaib Akhtar praised India’s performance and credited the country’s strong domestic structure for consistently producing top cricketers. The former Pakistan stars acknowledged India’s dominance throughout the tournament and said the depth in their cricket system played a key role in the title triumph. Meanwhile, fast bowler Mohammad Amir admitted his prediction of a New Zealand victory in the final proved wrong, acknowledging that India delivered on the biggest stage.

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 final in Ahmedabad to win their third title. The win also made India the first team to defend the T20 World Cup and the first to lift the trophy on home soil.   Batting first, India scored 255 for 5, the highest total in a men’s T20 World Cup final. Sanju Samson led the innings with 89 runs, the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final. Abhishek Sharma hit the fastest fifty of the tournament from 18 balls. Ishan Kishan scored 54 and Shivam Dube added 26 not out.   New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets and Axar Patel claimed three. India became the first team to win three men’s T20 World Cup titles and the first to defend the trophy. (PC: BCCI)

India’s T20 World Cup win marked a shift in the team’s structure under head coach Gautam Gambhir. The side lifted the ICC trophy without a dominant superstar leading the group. Captain Suryakumar Yadav guided the team, but the focus remained on a balanced unit rather than individual fame.   Gambhir has often criticised cricket’s star culture. As coach, he backed players who were overlooked earlier. He also dropped senior names during poor form, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.   Gambhir trusted players like Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma despite criticism. Abhishek later scored a quick fifty in the final. The approach built a team where, as Gambhir believes, “none of them are bigger than the team.” (PC: BCCI)

India opener Sanju Samson said Sachin Tendulkar helped him during a difficult phase before the 2026 T20 World Cup. Samson had lost his place in the team after a poor series against New Zealand. He said he felt broken and reached out to Tendulkar for advice. The former captain spoke to him and helped him improve his mindset and preparation. Samson later returned to the team during the World Cup and performed strongly. He scored 321 runs in five innings and became India’s highest run-scorer in the tournament. Samson also won the Player of the Tournament award after India defeated New Zealand in the final.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian cricket team after their victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final.   India defeated New Zealand national cricket team in the final in Ahmedabad to defend their title. India scored 255/5 before restricting New Zealand to 159.   In a post on X, Modi praised the team’s effort during the tournament.   “Champions! Congratulations to the Indian team on winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup,” he wrote.   “This remarkable triumph reflects exceptional skills, determination and teamwork.”   He said the players showed “outstanding grit through the tournament” and added that the victory had filled “every Indian heart with pride and joy.” (PC: India Today)

Sanju Samson was named Player of the Tournament after India won the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match for his bowling performance.   Bumrah took 4 wickets for 15 runs in the final. “Feels extremely special… to win man of the match here at my home ground in a World Cup final,” he said.   Samson said the award meant a lot after a difficult period earlier in his career.   “Very happy, very grateful. A lot of emotions… I am out of words,” Samson said.   He said he worked hard after missing games in the 2024 World Cup. “I kept working, visualising, dreaming. This is what I wanted,” he said. (PC: X)

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs to win the T20 World Cup 2026 final and secure their third title.   India posted 255/5 after strong batting from Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Abhishek scored a quick 52, while Samson made 89 and Kishan added a 23-ball fifty. Shivam Dube struck 24 runs in the final over to lift the total.   New Zealand never recovered in the chase. Jasprit Bumrah led the bowling attack with key wickets. Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy also struck at important moments.   The final wicket fell when Abhishek Sharma dismissed the batter and Tilak Varma completed the catch at long-on, sealing India’s victory. (PC: ICC)

Daryl Mitchell lost his temper and then his wicket as India tightened control of the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand.   The moment came after Arshdeep Singh’s throw hit Mitchell while he was running between the wickets. Mitchell walked toward Arshdeep and shouted in anger. The umpire stepped in to calm the situation. India captain Suryakumar Yadav also spoke to the New Zealand batter.   The tension ended quickly. Both players shook hands at the end of the over.   Soon after, Axar Patel dismissed Mitchell. The batter mistimed a full toss and Ishan Kishan took the catch. It was Axar’s third wicket. New Zealand were 119/6 chasing 256. (PC: X)

New Zealand lost three early wickets in their chase during the T20 World Cup final against India.   Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bring Axar Patel into the attack in the powerplay worked quickly. Axar removed Finn Allen for 9 after he mistimed a big shot to Tilak Varma at long-on.   He struck again soon after when Glenn Phillips missed a cross-batted shot and was bowled.   Jasprit Bumrah then dismissed Rachin Ravindra on the first ball of his spell. Ravindra miscued his shot and Ishan Kishan completed a running catch at fine leg.   New Zealand were 52/3 after six overs, with Tim Seifert and Mark Chapman at the crease. (PC: BCCI)