2 min readUpdated: Mar 9, 2026 03:09 AM IST
A dominant India played a near-flawless game to beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, becoming the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title. India also became the first team in history to win a T20 World Cup on home soil.
This marks India’s record-extending third T20 World Cup title.
The Men in Blue also broke a long-standing jinx by defeating New Zealand for the first time in a T20 World Cup encounter.
AS IT HAPPENED| INDIA VS NEW ZEALAND T20 WORLD CUP 2026 FINAL HIGHLIGHTS
India were the winners of the inaugural T20 World Cup edition in 2007 after beating Pakistan in a last-over thriller. India then had to wait 16 years to claim their second title in 2024, where they defeated South Africa in another thrilling final.
Apart from India, West Indies and England are the only teams to have won more than one T20 World Cup. The Caribbean side lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2016, while England won the crown in 2010 and 2022. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia have each won the event once.
On Sunday, India posted 255/5 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Blazing half-centuries from Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan gave India the right platform before Shivam Dube’s cameo took India over 250, well above the par total.
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While defending the total, India never looked worried as Axar Patel claimed three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah rocked with a four-wicket haul as India bundled out New Zealand for just 159 in 19 overs, winning the final by a hefty 96-run margin.
Full list of T20 World Cup winners and runners-up
| EDITION | HOST NATION | WINNERS | RUNNER-UPS |
| 2007 | South Africa | India | Pakistan |
| 2009 | England | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| 2010 | West Indies | England | Australia |
| 2012 | Sri Lanka | West Indies | Sri Lanka |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | India |
| 2016 | India | West Indies | England |
| 2021 | UAE & Oman | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2022 | Australia | England | Pakistan |
| 2024 | USA & West Indies | India | South Africa |
| 2026 | India | India | New Zealand |
