India Sets Record Again, Crowned World Champion Once More

Sports Desk

India won the T20 World Cup for a record third time by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in a one-sided final. They became the first team to retain the title for a second consecutive time in front of a crowd of over 86,000 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

At the same time, Suryakumar Yadav’s team created history by becoming the first team to win the World Cup trophy on their own soil. Earlier, England and West Indies had won the title twice each.

Batting first after losing the toss, co-hosts India scored a mammoth 255 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for 159 runs in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah played a key role for India, taking 4 wickets with the ball.

In the beginning, Axar Patel struck a double blow for the New Zealand camp. He put the Kiwis under pressure by dismissing dangerous batsman Finn Allen for 9 runs. Then Bumrah kept the Kiwi batsmen at bay with his brilliant slow bowling and yorker magic. He took 4 wickets for 15 runs.

For New Zealand, opener Tim Seifert scored 52 runs off 26 balls. But after he was dismissed by Varun Chakravarty in the ninth over, the Kiwis’ hopes of winning were practically over. Captain Mitchell Santner scored 43 runs but could not avoid defeat for the team. Abhishek Sharma ensured India’s big win by dismissing Jacob Duffy for the last wicket.

Earlier, openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma laid the foundation for India in the batting. Abhishek was dismissed for 52 off 21 balls, but Samson continued his devastating form. He hit five fours and eight sixes in his innings of 89 off 46 balls. Their opening partnership of 98 runs took India on the path to a big total.

Ishan Kishan, who came in at number three, was also aggressive. He scored 54 runs off 25 balls. In the end, Shivam Dube scored 26 runs off just 8 balls to take India past the 250-run mark. For New Zealand, Jimmy Neesham got Samson, Kishan and Suryakumar out in one over to create a hat-trick opportunity, but it wasn’t enough.

India’s dreams were shattered when they lost to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at this very venue. This time, Mustafizur Rahman’s neighbors India patched up old wounds by winning the World Cup at the same venue. Former India captains Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, who won two World Cups, enjoyed the victory sitting in the gallery.