View source for 2026 Men's T20 World Cup final

{{short description|International cricket match}}
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{{Use British English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox cricket final
| title = 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final
| image = File:2026 T20 World Cup Final Programme Cover by ICC.jpeg 
| image_alt = Promotional poster for the match
| caption = Match programme cover
| event = [[2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
| team1 = [[India national cricket team|India]] 
| team1flag = {{flagicon|IND|size=50px}}
| team2 = [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]]
| team2flag ={{flagicon|NZ|size=50px}}
| team1score = 255/5 
| team1overs = 20 overs
| team2score = 159
| team2overs = 19 overs
| details = India won by 96 runs
| date = 8 March 2026 {{UTZ|19:00|+5:30}}
| stadium =  [[Narendra Modi Stadium]]
| city = [[Ahmedabad]]
| man_of_the_match = [[Jasprit Bumrah]] (Ind)
| umpires = [[Richard Illingworth]] (Eng) and [[Alex Wharf]] (Eng)
| attendance = 86,824
| previous = [[2024 Men's T20 World Cup final|2024]]
| next = [[2028 Men's T20 World Cup final|2028]]
}}

The '''2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final''' was a [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I) [[cricket]] match played at the [[Narendra Modi Stadium]] in [[Ahmedabad]], India, on 8 March 2026 to determine the winner of the [[2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]. It was played between the defending champions [[India national cricket team|India]] and [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]].

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first; India registered a score of 255/5 in their innings. In the second innings, New Zealand were all out for 159. India won the match by 96 runs, retaining the title they had [[2024 Men's T20 World Cup final|won at the previous tournament]]. India became the first team in the tournament to win three T20 World Cup titles, defend their title, and the first host country to win the title.

== Background ==
{{Main|2026 Men's T20 World Cup}}
The [[2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]] was the tenth edition of the [[ICC Men's T20 World Cup]], a biennial [[world cup]] for [[cricket]] in [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I) format, organized by the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC).<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2024 |title=T20 World Cup winners: India, West Indies and England tied on two titles each – full list of champions |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/t20-world-cup-winners-list-champions |website=[[Olympics.com]] |access-date=29 November 2025 |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816025541/https://olympics.com/en/news/t20-world-cup-winners-list-champions |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2021 as part of the [[2024-2031 ICC men's hosts cycle]], the ICC announced that the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup would be played in India and Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 November 2021 |title=USA to stage T20 World Cup: 2024–2031 ICC Men's tournament hosts confirmed |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/usa-to-stage-t20-world-cup-2024-2031-icc-mens-tournament-hosts-confirmed |access-date=20 February 2025 |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] |archive-date=5 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205110854/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2354682 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 November 2025, the ICC announced the finalised venues for the tournament,<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2025 |title=ICC shortlists venues for 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-icc-shortlists-venues-in-india-and-sri-lanka-1510319 |access-date=9 November 2025 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |archive-date=6 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251106200954/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-icc-shortlists-venues-in-india-and-sri-lanka-1510319 |url-status=live }}</ref> with the [[Narendra Modi Stadium]] in Ahmedabad, India named as the venue for the final scheduled for 8 March 2026.<ref name="Schedule2">{{cite news |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/fixtures-groups-released-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026 |title=Fixtures, groups released for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026|date=25 November 2025 |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] |access-date=27 November 2025 |archive-date=13 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213081528/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/fixtures-groups-released-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> The match would have been moved to [[R. Premadasa Stadium]] in Colombo, Sri Lanka, if Pakistan had qualified.<ref name="Final">{{cite news |date=9 September 2025 |title=Narendra Modi Stadium to host T20 World Cup final, R Premadasa Stadium announced as alternative for Pakistan. |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-mens-t20-world-cup-likely-from-february-7-to-march-8-1502118 |access-date=10 September 2025 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |archive-date=10 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910085155/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-mens-t20-world-cup-likely-from-february-7-to-march-8-1502118 |url-status=live }}</ref>

This was [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]]'s second T20 World Cup final after being runners-up in [[2021 Men's T20 World Cup final|2021]]<ref>{{cite web |access-date=4 March 2026 |title=Record ton by Allen powers New Zealand to final |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/live-new-zealand-take-on-unbeaten-south-africa-in-semi-final |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]}}</ref> while it was [[India national cricket team|India]]'s fourth final, having been champions in [[2007 World Twenty20 final|2007]] and [[2024 Men's T20 World Cup final|2024]] and runners-up in [[2014 World Twenty20 final|2014]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=5 March 2026 |title=499 runs and 34 sixes later, India beat England to enter T20 World Cup final |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-mens-t20-world-cup/499-runs-and-32-sixes-later-india-beat-england-to-enter-t20-world-cup-final/articleshow/129105158.cms |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Before this match, India and New Zealand had played each other three times in the T20 World Cup, with New Zealand winning on all three occasions (2007, 2016 and 2021).<ref>{{cite web |first=Daniel |last=Beswick |access-date=7 March 2026 |title=Looking back: Previous India v New Zealand T20 World Cup matches |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/looking-back-previous-india-v-new-zealand-t20-world-cup-matches? |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]}}</ref>

== Road to the final ==
=== Overview ===
* Source: [[ESPNcricinfo]]<ref name="T20 World Cup">{{ESPNcricinfo 2|series|ref=icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/match-schedule-fixtures-and-results |title=2026 Men's T20 World Cup, fixtures and results|access-date=9 March 2026 |dynamic=n |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311180415/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/match-schedule-fixtures-and-results |archive-date=11 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="t20wc26-pt">{{ESPNcricinfo 2|series|ref=icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/points-table-standings|title=2026 Men's T20 World Cup 2026 points table standings|access-date=9 March 2026|dynamic=n|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310222947/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/points-table-standings|archive-date=10 March 2026}}</ref>

{| style="text-align:center;margin:auto;font-size:90%"
|- style="vertical-align:top;background:#99CCFF"
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" width="40%" | {{cr-rt|NZ}}
! scope="row" width="10%" | vs
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" width="40%" | {{cr|IND}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;background:#C1E0FF"
! scope="col" | Opponent || Date || Result || Points || Match || Opponent || Date || Result || Points
|- style="vertical-align:top;background:#99CCFF"
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group D|Group D]]
! scope="row" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group stage|Group stage]]
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group A|Group A]]
|-
| {{cr|AFG}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#match4|8 February 2026]] || Won || 2
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | 1
| {{cr|USA}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#macth3|7 February 2026]] || Won || 2
|-
| {{cr|UAE}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#match11|10 February 2026]] || Won || 4
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | 2
| {{cr|NAM}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#macth18|12 February 2026]] || Won || 4
|-
| {{cr|SA}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#match24|14 February 2026]] || Lost || 4
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | 3
| {{cr|PAK}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#macth27|15 February 2026]] || Won || 6
|-
| {{cr|CAN}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#match31|17 February 2026]] || Won || 6
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | 4
| {{cr|NED}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#macth36|18 February 2026]] || Won || 8
|- style="vertical-align:top;background:#99CCFF"
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group 2|Group 2]]
! scope="row" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Super 8 stage|Super 8 stage]]
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group 1|Group 1]]
|-
| {{cr|PAK}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#match41|21 February 2026]] || N/R || 1
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | 5
| {{cr|SA}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#macth43|22 February 2026]] || Lost || 0
|-
| {{cr|SL}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#match46|25 February 2026]] || Won || 3
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | 6
| {{cr|ZIM}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#macth48|26 February 2026]] || Won || 2
|-
| {{cr|ENG}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#match49|27 February 2026]] || Lost || 3
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | 7
| {{cr|WIN}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#macth52|1 March 2026]] || Won || 4
|- style="vertical-align:top;background:#99CCFF"
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Semi-final 1|Semi-final 1]]
! scope="row" | {{nowrap|[[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Knockout stage|Knockout stage]]}}
! scope="colgroup" colspan="4" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Semi-final 2|Semi-final 2]]
|-
| {{cr|SA}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Semi-final 1|4 March 2026]] || colspan="2" | Won
! scope="row" style="background:#C1E0FF" | [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Semi-finals|{{Abbr|'''SF'''|Semi-finals}}]]
| {{cr|ENG}} || [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Semi-final 2|5 March 2026]] || colspan="2" | Won
|- style="vertical-align:top;background:#99CCFF"
! scope="row" colspan="9" | 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final
|}

=== New Zealand ===
New Zealand began their T20 World Cup campaign with a victory over [[Afghanistan national cricket team|Afghanistan]] at [[M. A. Chidambaram Stadium]] in [[Chennai]],<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 February 2026 |title=Seifert half-century helps NZ beat Afghanistan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cg4gy559x0vo |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref> and went on to defeat [[United Arab Emirates national cricket team|United Arab Emirates]]<ref>{{cite web |access-date=10 February 2026 |title=Seifert, Allen fifties help New Zealand gallop to record-breaking win against UAE |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/new-zealand-vs-united-arab-emirates-11th-match-group-d-1512729/match-report |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> at the same venue. They lost to [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] in Ahmedabad,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=14 February 2026 |title=South Africa ease to victory over New Zealand in Ahmedabad to close in on Super 8 spot |url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/13507471/t20-world-cup-south-africa-ease-to-victory-over-new-zealand-in-ahmedabad-to-close-in-on-super-8-spot |website=[[Sky Sports]]}}</ref> and defeated [[Canada national cricket team|Canada]] in Chennai<ref>{{cite web |access-date=17 February 2026 |title=Canadian, 19, makes historic century but NZ reach Super 8s |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cr452qxg3y2o |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref> to finish the group stage as runners-up of [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group D|Group D]].<ref name="t20wc26-pt"/> In the Super 8 stage, their first game against [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] was abandoned due to rain in Colombo.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=21 February 2026 |title=Incessant rain washes out opening Super Eight fixture between New Zealand and Pakistan |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/new-zealand-vs-pakistan-41st-match-super-eights-group-2-1512759/match-report |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> They went on to defeat co-hosts [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]],<ref>{{cite web |access-date=25 February 2026 |title=New Zealand's all-round brilliance knocks Sri Lanka out of T20WC |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/live-sri-lanka-new-zealand-battle-for-survival |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]}}</ref> but lost to [[England cricket team|England]] at the same venue.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=27 February 2026 |title=New Zealand await semi-final fate after England's thrilling win |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/live-new-zealand-aim-for-semi-final-spot-in-key-t20wc-clash |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]}}</ref> Due to having a higher [[net run rate]] over Pakistan, New Zealand finished as runners-up of [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group 2|Group 2]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand reach semis after Pakistan eliminated from T20 World Cup |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/pakistan-eliminated-t20-world-cup-despite-win-over-sri-lanka-2026-02-28/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=28 February 2026 |access-date=1 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="t20wc26-pt"/> New Zealand then defeated South Africa in the [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Semi-final 1|semi-final 1]] at the [[Eden Gardens]] in [[Kolkata]] in a re-match of their group stage fixture to qualify for their second T20 World Cup final.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=4 March 2026 |title=Allen's 33-ball century steamrollers South Africa - as it happened |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/live/c5y2jr9n7z5t |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref>

=== India ===
India began their T20 World Cup campaign with a victory over the [[United States national cricket team|United States]] at [[Wankhede Stadium]] in [[Mumbai]],<ref>{{cite web |access-date=7 February 2026 |title=Suryakumar's 84* helps India overcome USA scare |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/india-vs-united-states-of-america-3rd-match-group-a-1512721/match-report |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> and went on to defeat [[Namibia national cricket team|Namibia]] at [[Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium|Arun Jaitley Stadium]] in [[Delhi]],<ref>{{cite web |access-date=12 February 2026 |title=All-round India crush Namibia to register biggest win in T20 WCs |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/137703/all-round-india-crush-namibia-to-register-biggest-win-in-t20-wcs |publisher=[[Cricbuzz]]}}</ref> Pakistan in Colombo,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=16 February 2026 |title=India beats Pakistan by 61 runs, enters super 8s |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/india-vs-pakistan-t20-world-cup-2026-match-score-february-15-the-hindu-live-updates/article70634845.ece/amp/ |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> and [[Netherlands national cricket team|Netherlands]] in Ahmedabad<ref>{{cite web |access-date=19 February 2026 |title=India beat Netherlands to complete perfect group stage as Shivam Dube shines with bat and ball |url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12344/13509236/t20-world-cup-india-beat-netherlands-to-complete-perfect-group-stage-as-shivam-dube-shines-with-bat-and-ball |website=[[Sky Sports]]}}</ref> to finish the group stage as winners of [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group A|Group A]].<ref name="t20wc26-pt"/> In the Super 8 stage, they lost to South Africa in Ahmedabad in their first game ending their record-breaking win streaks (12 at T20 World Cups and 17 at ICC limited-overs tournaments).<ref>{{cite web |access-date=23 February 2026 |title=India Outplayed By South Africa In Super Eight, Suffer Their Biggest Defeat In T20 World Cup |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-cup-2026/india-suffer-their-biggest-defeat-in-t20-world-cup-outplayed-by-south-africa-in-super-eight-11122182 |work=[[NDTV Sports]]}}</ref> They went on to defeat [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] in Chennai,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=26 February 2026 |title=India beat Zimbabwe to keep title defence alive |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/ce3gyx49z52o |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref> and [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] in Kolkata<ref>{{cite web |access-date=1 March 2026 |title=Sanju Samson smashes unbeaten 97 as IND enter semifinal in style |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-west-indies-live-cricket-score-ind-vs-wi-super-8-icc-mens-t20-world-cup-2026-today-march-1-latest-scorecard-101772357767454.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> to finish as runners-up of [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Group 1|Group 1]].<ref name="t20wc26-pt"/> India then defeated England in the [[2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Semi-final 2|semi-final 2]] in Mumbai in a tight-contest to qualify for their record fourth T20 World Cup final.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=5 March 2026 |title=India edge past England in high-scoring thriller to enter Final |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/live-india-face-familiar-foes-england-in-semi-finals |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]}}</ref>

== Match ==
=== Match officials ===
On 6 March 2026, the ICC named England's [[Richard Illingworth]] and [[Alex Wharf]] as the [[umpire (cricket)|on-field umpires]], along with South Africa's [[Allahudien Paleker]] as the [[third umpire]] and [[Adrian Holdstock]] as the [[fourth umpire|reserve umpire]], and Zimbabwe's [[Andy Pycroft]] as [[match referee]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=6 March 2026 |title=Match Officials for Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Final announced  |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/match-officials-for-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-final-announced |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]}}</ref>

* '''On-field umpires''': [[Richard Illingworth]] (Eng) and [[Alex Wharf]] (Eng)
* '''TV umpire''': [[Allahudien Paleker]] (SA)
* '''Reserve umpire''': [[Adrian Holdstock]] (SA)
* '''Match referee''': [[Andy Pycroft]] (Zim)

=== Team and toss ===
{{see also|2026 Men's T20 World Cup squads}}
New Zealand's captain [[Mitchell Santner]] won the toss and elected to field. New Zealand brought in [[Jacob Duffy]] in place of [[Cole McConchie]], while India remained unchanged from their respective semi-final matches.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/india-vs-new-zealand-t20-world-cup-2026-final-toss-record-playing-xi-13987387.html |title=New Zealand win toss in T20 World Cup final: Did past toss winners also lift the trophy? |date=8 March 2026 |access-date=13 March 2026 |work=[[Firstpost]]}}</ref>

* '''India''':<ref name="XI">{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/india-vs-new-zealand-final-1512773/match-playing-xi |title=Playing XI - IND vs NZ Final {{!}} ICC Men's T20 World Cup Squad |access-date=8 March 2026 |date=8 March 2026 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> [[Sanju Samson]] ([[Wicket-keeper|wk]]), [[Abhishek Sharma]], [[Ishan Kishan]], [[Suryakumar Yadav]] ([[Captain (cricket)|c]]), [[Tilak Varma]], [[Shivam Dube]], [[Hardik Pandya]], [[Axar Patel]], [[Arshdeep Singh]], [[Varun Chakravarthy]], [[Jasprit Bumrah]]
* '''New Zealand''':<ref name="XI"/> [[Finn Allen]], [[Tim Seifert]] ([[Wicket-keeper|wk]]), [[Rachin Ravindra]], [[Glenn Phillips (cricketer)|Glenn Phillips]], [[Mark Chapman (cricketer)|Mark Chapman]], [[Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand cricketer)|Daryl Mitchell]], [[Mitchell Santner]] ([[Captain (cricket)|c]]), [[James Neesham]], [[Matt Henry (cricketer)|Matt Henry]], [[Lockie Ferguson]], [[Jacob Duffy]]

=== India innings ===
[[File:Jasprit Bumrah in PMO New Delhi.jpg|thumb|alt=Jasprit Bumrah in 2024|[[Jasprit Bumrah]] took 4 wickets for India in the final, and received the player of the match award.]]
Put to [[Batting (cricket)|bat]] first, Indian openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on a 98-[[Run (cricket)|run]] [[Partnership (cricket)|partnership]] in 7 [[Over (cricket)|overs]] with each scoring half-centuries in 33 and 18 [[Delivery (cricket)|balls]] respectively. Following Sharma's [[Dismissal (cricket)|dismissal]] in the eighth over, Ishan Kishan scored a half-century in 23 balls to put on a 105-run partnership with Samson. Both Samson and Kishan were dismissed in the 16th over of James Neesham, followed by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav's dismissal for a [[Duck (cricket)|duck]] in the same over. In the final two overs, Shivam Dube scored 26 runs from 8 balls to take India to a total of 255 runs for the loss of five wickets. Samson was the highest run-scorer for India with 89 runs from 46 balls while Neesham picked up three [[wicket]]s for New Zealand.<ref name="sc1">{{cite web |date=8 March 2026 |access-date=8 March 2026 |title=India vs New Zealand Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026 Final: GOAT T20 team, India defend their title comprehensively |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/india-vs-new-zealand-final-1512773/live-match-blog |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref><ref name="sc2">{{cite web |date=8 March 2026 |access-date=8 March 2026 |title=India vs New Zealand Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: IND beats NZ to defend title; Bumrah wins Player of Match, Samson awarded Player of Tournament |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand-live-score-updates-t20-world-cup-2026-final-ind-nz-highlights-ahmedabad/article70718633.ece |work=[[Sportstar]]}}</ref><ref name="sc3">{{cite web |date=8 March 2026 |access-date=8 March 2026 |title=India retain T20 World Cup with 96-run final win over New Zealand – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/mar/08/india-v-new-zealand-t20-world-cup-final-live |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

=== New Zealand innings ===
[[Run chase|Chasing]] the target of 256, New Zealand opener Tim Seifert scored a half-century in 23 balls, while four New Zealand batters were dismissed for single-digit scores. Daryl Mitchell was dismissed for 17 runs, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was dismissed for 43 runs, and the remaining three batters were also dismissed for single-digit scores; [[All out (cricket)|bundling out]] New Zealand for 159. Seifert was the highest run-scorer for New Zealand with 52 runs from 26 balls<ref name="sc1"/><ref name="sc2"/><ref name="sc3"/> while Jasprit Bumrah picked up four wickets for India, giving away only 15 runs in 4 overs and received the player of the match award.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-08 |title=Jasprit Bumrah wins Player of match award in T20 World Cup 2026 final |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-player-of-the-match-t20-world-cup-final-2026-india-vs-new-zealand-stats-record/article70719726.ece |access-date=2026-03-13 |work=[[Sportstar]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Match details ===
<section begin="sc" />{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = {{Start date|df=y|2026|03|08}}
| night = y
| time = {{UTZ|19:00|+5:30}}
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
| team2 = {{cr|NZ}}
| score1 = 255/5 (20 overs)
| runs1 = [[Sanju Samson]] 89 (46)
| wickets1 = [[James Neesham]] 3/46 (4 overs)
| score2 = 159 (19 overs) 
| runs2 = [[Tim Seifert]] 52 (26) 
| wickets2 = [[Jasprit Bumrah]] 4/15 (4 overs)
| result = India won by 96 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1512773.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Narendra Modi Stadium]], [[Ahmedabad]]
| attendance = 86,824<ref name="scf">{{cite web |date=8 March 2026 |access-date=8 March 2026 |title=IND vs NZ Cricket Scorecard, Final at Ahmedabad, March 08, 2026 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138/india-vs-new-zealand-final-1512773/full-scorecard |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> 
| umpires = [[Richard Illingworth]] (Eng) and [[Alex Wharf]] (Eng)
| motm = [[Jasprit Bumrah]] (Ind)
| toss = New Zealand won the toss and elected to field.
| notes = This was India's fourth T20 World Cup final; most for any nation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-05 |title=India becomes first team to qualify for four men’s T20 World Cup finals |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/india-t20-world-cup-2026-final-fourth-time-most-appearance-record-stats/article70708745.ece |access-date=2026-03-06 |work=[[Sportstar]] |language=en}}</ref>
* This was India's 15th appearance at the finals of ICC limited-overs tournaments; the most by any nation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-08 |title=IND vs NZ, T20 World Cup 2026 final: India’s record in ICC tournament finals before India vs New Zealand |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/t20-world-cup/ind-vs-nz-t20-world-cup-2026-final-india-win-loss-record-icc-finals-results-odi-test-championship/article70711782.ece |access-date=2026-03-13 |work=[[Sportstar]] |language=en}}</ref>
* India scored the highest-ever total (255) in the T20 World Cup finals, surpassing their own score of 176 in [[2024 Men's T20 World Cup final|2024]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 March 2026 |title=Record alert in final! India rewrite T20 World Cup history vs New Zealand |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-mens-t20-world-cup/record-alert-in-final-india-rewrite-t20-world-cup-history-vs-new-zealand/articleshow/129277293.cms |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
* [[Sanju Samson]] (Ind) made the highest individual score in the Men's T20 World Cup finals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-08 |title=List of records broken as India smash 255 runs batting first in T20 World Cup final vs New Zealand |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/list-of-records-broken-as-india-smash-255-runs-batting-first-in-t20-world-cup-final-vs-new-zealnd-2026-03-08-1033083 |access-date=2026-03-08 |work=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref>
* India became the first team to win three T20 World Cup titles. They also became the first team to win two consecutive titles, and the first host country to win the tournament.<ref name="rec-win">{{cite web |access-date=9 March 2026 |title=India becomes first team to defend T20 World Cup title, lift trophy at home |url=https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/icc-t20-world-cup/india-becomes-first-team-to-defend-t20-world-cup-title-lift-trophy-at-home-126030800781_1.html |work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref>
}}<section end="sc" />

{{Cot|Match scorecard<ref name="scf"/>|bg=lightblue}}

; 1st innings
{{Cricket match batting box begin|title={{cr|IND}} batting<ref name="scf"/>}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Sanju Samson]]|status=c sub (McConchie) b Neesham|runs=89|balls=46|4s=5|6s=8|strike_rate=193.47}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Abhishek Sharma]]|status=c Seifert b Ravindra|runs=52|balls=21|4s=6|6s=3|strike_rate=247.62}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Ishan Kishan]]|status=c Chapman b Neesham|runs=54|balls=25|4s=4|6s=4|strike_rate=216.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Hardik Pandya]]|status=c Santner b Henry|runs=18|balls=13|4s=1|6s=1|strike_rate=138.46}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Suryakumar Yadav]]|status=c Ravindra b Neesham|runs=0|balls=1|4s=0|6s=0|strike_rate=0.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Tilak Varma]]|status=not out|runs=8|balls=6|4s=0|6s=0|strike_rate=133.33}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Shivam Dube]]|status=not out|runs=26|balls=8|4s=3|6s=2|strike_rate=325.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Axar Patel]]|status=did not bat|runs=|balls=|4s=|6s=|strike_rate=}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Varun Chakravarthy]]|status=did not bat|runs=|balls=|4s=|6s=|strike_rate=}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Arshdeep Singh]]|status=did not bat|runs=|balls=|4s=|6s=|strike_rate=}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Jasprit Bumrah]]|status=did not bat|runs=|balls=|4s=|6s=|strike_rate=}}
|- align=left
| Extras || (w 8) || {{align|right|8}} ||  ||  ||  || 
|- align=right
| {{align|left|'''Total'''}} || {{align|left|(5 wickets; 20 overs)}} || '''255'''  ||  || 19 || 18 || RR: 12.75
{{Cricket match box end}}
'''Fall of wickets:''' 1/98 (Abhishek, 7.1 ov), 2/203 (Samsom, 15.1 ov), 3/204 (Kishan, 15.5 ov), 4/204 (Yadav, 15.6 ov), 5/226 (Pandya, 18.2 ov)

{{Cricket match bowling box begin|title={{cr|NZ}} bowling<ref name="scf"/>}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Matt Henry (cricketer)|Matt Henry]]|overs=4|maiden=0|runs=49|wickets=1|econ=12.25|wides=4|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Glenn Phillips (cricketer)|Glenn Phillips]]|overs=1|maiden=0|runs=5|wickets=0|econ=5.00|wides=0|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Jacob Duffy]]|overs=3|maiden=0|runs=42|wickets=0|econ=14.00|wides=1|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Lockie Ferguson]]|overs=2|maiden=0|runs=48|wickets=0|econ=24.00|wides=3|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Mitchell Santner]]|overs=4|maiden=0|runs=33|wickets=0|econ=8.25|wides=0|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Rachin Ravindra]]|overs=2|maiden=0|runs=32|wickets=1|econ=16.00|wides=0|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[James Neesham]]|overs=4|maiden=0|runs=46|wickets=3|econ=11.50|wides=0|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match box end}}

; 2nd innings
{{Cricket match batting box begin|title={{cr|NZ}} batting<ref name="scf"/>}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Tim Seifert]]|status=c Kishan b Chakravarthy|runs=52|balls=26|4s=2|6s=5|strike_rate=200.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Finn Allen]]|status=c Tilak b Patel|runs=9|balls=7|4s=1|6s=0|strike_rate=128.57}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Rachin Ravindra]]|status=c Kishan b Bumrah|runs=1|balls=2|4s=0|6s=0|strike_rate=50.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Glenn Phillips (cricketer)|Glenn Phillips]]|status=b Patel|runs=5|balls=5|4s=1|6s=0|strike_rate=100.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Mark Chapman (cricketer)|Mark Chapman]]|status=b Pandya|runs=3|balls=8|4s=0|6s=0|strike_rate=37.50}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand cricketer)|Daryl Mitchell]]|status=c Kishan b Patel|runs=17|balls=11|4s=0|6s=2|strike_rate=154.54}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Mitchell Santner]]|status=b Bumrah|runs=43|balls=35|4s=3|6s=2|strike_rate=123.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[James Neesham]]|status=b Bumrah|runs=8|balls=7|4s=1|6s=0|strike_rate=114.28}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Matt Henry (cricketer)|Matt Henry]]|status=b Bumrah|runs=0|balls=1|4s=0|6s=0|strike_rate=0.00}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Lockie Ferguson]]|status=not out|runs=6|balls=7|4s=0|6s=0|strike_rate=85.71}}
{{Cricket match batsman status|player=[[Jacob Duffy]]|status=c Tilak b Abhishek|runs=3|balls=5|4s=0|6s=0|strike_rate=60.00}}
|- align=left
| Extras || (b 4, lb 1, w 7) || {{align|right|12}} ||  ||  ||  || 
|- align=right
| {{align|left|'''Total'''}} || {{align|left| (10 wickets; 19 overs)}} || '''159'''  ||  || 8 || 9 || RR: 8.36
{{Cricket match box end}}
'''Fall of wickets:''' 1/31 (Allen, 2.4 ov), 2/32 (Ravindra, 3.1 ov), 3/48 (Phillips, 4.5 ov), 4/70 (Chapman, 7.4 ov),  5/72 (Seifert, 8.1 ov), 6/124 (Mitchell, 12.5 ov), 7/141 (Neesham, 15.3 ov), 8/141 (Henry, 15.4 ov), 9/152 (Santner, 17.3 ov), 10/159 (Duffy, 18.6 ov)

{{Cricket match bowling box begin|title={{cr|IND}} bowling<ref name="scf"/>}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Arshdeep Singh]]|overs=4|maiden=0|runs=32|wickets=0|econ=8.00|wides=5|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Hardik Pandya]]|overs=4|maiden=0|runs=36|wickets=1|econ=9.00|wides=1|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Axar Patel]]|overs=3|maiden=0|runs=27|wickets=3|econ=9.00|wides=0|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Jasprit Bumrah]]|overs=4|maiden=0|runs=15|wickets=4|econ=3.75|wides=1|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Varun Chakravarthy]]|overs=3|maiden=0|runs=39|wickets=1|econ=13.00|wides=0|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match bowler status|bowler=[[Abhishek Sharma]]|overs=1|maiden=0|runs=5|wickets=1|econ=5.00|wides=0|no-balls=0}}
{{Cricket match box end}}
{{cob}}

== Aftermath ==
This was India's third T20 World Cup title victory, after [[2007 World Twenty20 final|2007]] and [[2024 Men's T20 World Cup final|2024]]. India were the first team to successfully defend their title to win two consecutive titles, the first tournament hosts to win, and first nation to win three T20 World Cup titles.<ref name="rec-win"/> [[Suryakumar Yadav]] became the fourth Indian captain to win a major ICC event after [[Kapil Dev]] in [[1983 Cricket World Cup final|1983]]; [[MS Dhoni]] in 2007, [[2011 Cricket World Cup final|2011]] and [[2013 ICC Champions Trophy final|2013]]; and [[Rohit Sharma]] in 2024 and [[2025 ICC Champions Trophy final|2025]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=9 March 2026 |title=Suryakumar Yadav gives himself a few slaps after joining Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni as India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/suryakumar-yadav-slaps-himself-after-joining-rohit-sharma-ms-dhoni-as-india-s-t20-world-cup-winning-captain-101773001438371.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

India received $2.64 million and New Zealand received $1.42 million in prize money from the ICC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prize Money Distribution for Men's T20WC 2026 Announced |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/prize-money-distribution-for-men-s-t20wc-2026-announced |date=11 March 2026 |access-date=2026-03-12 |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] |language=en}}</ref> Indian [[President of India|President]] [[Droupadi Murmu]] and [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] congratulated team India on winning the tournament again.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 March 2026 |title=President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi hail India's T20 WC triumph |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/cricket/president-droupadi-murmu-pm-modi-hail-indias-t20-wc-triumph20260308232655/ |work=[[ANI News]]}}</ref> The [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] gave the team a cash reward of {{INRConvert|131|c|nolink=y}}, split between the players and supporting staff.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=10 March 2026 |title=BCCI announces cash reward for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup-winning Team India |url=https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2026/news/55556329/bcci-announces-cash-reward-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-winning-team-india |publisher=[[Board of Control for Cricket in India]]}}</ref>

== Broadcasting ==
{{Further|2026 Men's T20 World Cup#Broadcasting}}
The final match was broadcast live in India on [[Star Sports (India)|Star Sports]], [[free-to-air]] broadcaster [[DD Sports]] and free on the [[Over-the-top media service|Over-the-top]] platform [[JioHotstar]]. In New Zealand the match was broadcast live on  [[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]] and Sky Sport Now.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 February 2026 |title=All the Broadcast details for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/all-the-broadcast-details-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026 |access-date=5 February 2026 |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] |archive-date=6 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206103848/https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/all-the-broadcast-details-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> The final match had a peak of 72.5 million concurrent viewers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-23 |title=A game for the world: cricket’s growth horizons |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/a-game-for-the-world-cricket-s-growth-horizons |access-date=2026-03-23 |publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] |language=en |archive-date=25 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260325001923/https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/a-game-for-the-world-cricket-s-growth-horizons |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo 2|series|id=icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138|title=2026 Men's T20 World Cup}}

{{India Squad 2026 Men's T20 World Cup}}
{{New Zealand Squad 2026 Men's T20 World Cup}}
{{2026 Men's T20 World Cup}}
{{Men's T20 World Cup}}
{{International cricket in 2025-26}}

[[Category:2026 Men's T20 World Cup|final]]
[[Category:Men's T20 World Cup finals]]
[[Category:March 2026 sports events in India]]
[[Category:India in international cricket]]
[[Category:New Zealand in international cricket]]